Global, regional, national burden of chronic kidney disease attributable to chronic glomerulonephritis in women of child-bearing age from 1990 to 2021 and forecast to 2049: a study from Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), disproportionately affecting women of childbearing age (WCBA). Despite the vulnerability of this population, global data on CKD attributable to GN in WCBA remain scarce. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the disease burden from 1990 to 2021 and projecting trends through 2049 by different age groups, regions and coutries/territories. Methods Data were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), focusing on the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for CKD attributable to GN in WCBA. Age-standardized rates (ASIR/ASDR) were calculated using direct standardization. Trends were assessed with Joinpoint regression, while the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was employed to forecast future burdens. Regions were categorized based on Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels (low, low-middle, middle, high-middle, high). Health inequalities were evaluated using slope and concentration indices, and frontier analysis identified countries requiring priority interventions. Results Globally, the burden of CKD attributable to GN in WCBA increased from 1990 to 2021, with the ASIR peaking in the 45–49 age group, and DALYs reaching their highest in the same group.The highest incidence of disease occurs in the 15–19 age group. At the same time, health inequalities persist, with lower disease burdens in high and upper-middle SDI regions compared to those in middle and low-middle SDI regions. Geographically, the regions with the lightest disease burden are Western Europe and high-income Central Asia, while the regions with the heaviest burden are Central America and the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of disease burden growth rates, there has been a rapid increase in the global disease burden over the past three years. Projections indicate that the disease burden will continue to rise until 2049. Conclusions This study highlights the increasing disease burden of CKD attributable to GN among WCBA, particularly in regions with medium and low SDI. Strengthening global and regional collaboration is essential, as is the introduction of more diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in low-SDI areas to alleviate the disease burden. Additionally, more attention should be given to the younger and older age groups within WCBA who experience higher disease burdens. Finally, given the rapid growth of disease burden in recent years, there is a call for increased attention to vulnerable groups, such as WCBA, and a stronger focus on research into kidney diseases such as CKD and GN within this population.