Burden of aortic aneurysm in Iran from 1990 to 2019: an analysis based on global burden of disease study

Background: Limited studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of aortic aneurysms in Iran. In this study, the authors aimed to comprehensively evaluate the burden and epidemiology of aortic aneurysms across various age groups, sexes, and provinces in Iran from 1990 to 2019. Materials and methods: The authors used global burden of disease (GBD) study data in the current study. The authors retrieved data on the burden of aortic aneurysms across sexes and age groups at national and subnational levels from 1990 to 2019. The authors extracted mortality, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY), numbers, rates, and age-standardized rates. Additionally, the authors extracted the burden of AA attributable to its risk factors, such as lead exposure, high systolic blood pressure, high dietary intake of sodium, and smoking. Results: National ASDR (age-standardized DALY rate) was also observed to be reduced from 1990 [22.20 (17.46–26.86)] to 2019 [19.97 (17.98–21.98)]. However, the inclinations were evaluated to be slighter than the world (%change ASDR=−19.5%). In 2019, three leading risk factors yielding death in AA patients were smoking [ASMR attributable=0.73 (0.67–0.80)], high sodium intake [ASMR attributable=0.11 (0.03–0.27)], and lead exposure [ASMR attributable=0.04 (0.02–0.07)]. Conclusion: Mortality and DALYs due to AA both decreased slightly during the last three decades. Considering the role of smoking in the burden of AA in Iran, interventions targeting smoking cessation among high-risk groups, such as males, may be helpful to reduce the burden of AA in Iran in the coming years.