Global, Regional, and National Burden of Pulmonary Fungal Infections 1990-2021

Rationale: The lungs are the most prevalent site for invasive fungal infections, and the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary fungal infections pose significant challenges, accompanied by a substantial disease burden. Global factors will likely enhance the risk of it in the future. Assessing the global burden of pulmonary fungal infections is crucial for implementing appropriate measures for prevention and control. Objectives: To evaluate the burden of pulmonary fungal infections at the global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021 and make projections for 2024. Methods: Data on deaths and Disability-Adjusted Life Years due to pulmonary fungal infections were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease database. Linear regression, complex inequality measures, and the Nordpred model were employed for analysis and visualization. Results: In 2021, the global incidence of pulmonary fungal infections was estimated at 5.62 million cases (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI] 4.93-6.40 million), with 45,542 deaths (95% UI 39,299-51,944). The age-standardized mortality rate was 0.56 per 100,000 (95% UI 0.48-0.64). From 1990 to 2021, the estimated annual percentage change was -1.03% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -1.13 to -0.93), with an observed increase in mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries. The mortality rate significantly increased among individuals aged 50 and above. By 2044, over 87,000 deaths are expected from pulmonary fungal infections, at a rate of about 0.58 per 100,000. Conclusions: Pulmonary fungal infections represent a significant global challenge that warrants attention and necessitates international collaboration to collectively address this issue. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).