Global disease burden of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 39 from 1990 to 2021

Background Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can occur at any age but is more common in middle-aged and older adults. Although the incidence of NHL is lower in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15–39 years, certain types have seen an increase in incidence in recent years. However, specific data remains incomplete, with regional and population-based differences. Methods This study, based on the latest global burden of disease data from 2021, provided a comprehensive analysis of the incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and associated risk factors for NHL in AYAs aged 15–39 years, considering multiple dimensions such as age, gender, social-demographic index (SDI), and nationality. Results From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of NHL in AYAs aged 15–39 years increased from 1.75 per 100,000 in 1990 to 2.15 per 100,000 in 2021. However, both mortality and DALYs showed a declining trend. Specifically, mortality decreased from 0.79 per 100,000 in 1990 to 0.71 per 100,000 in 2021, while DALYs dropped from 49.75 per 100,000 in 1990 to 44.57 per 100,000 in 2021. The incidence of NHL was significantly higher in high SDI regions compared to low SDI regions. The primary risk factor associated with NHL mortality and DALYs was a high body mass index (BMI) Conclusion Over the past 32 years, the global disease burden of NHL in AYAs aged 15–39 years has increased, with significant differences in burden levels across regions with varying SDI.