The Burden of Congenital Heart Disease in Asia and 34 Countries and Territories from 1990 to 2021: A Systematic Analysis Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background One of the most prevalent birth defects worldwide, congenital heart disease (CHD) presents a serious risk to a child’s health. Although the survival rate of CHD has increased recently due to advancements in medical technology, the disease burden and incidence are still significant. Based on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, this article examines the distribution characteristics and trends of CHD in regions with varying Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels. It does this by analyzing the disease burden indices of CHD in five Asian regions and the thirty-four countries and territories that are included from 1990 to 2021. Methods The GBD database covers 204 countries and regions and provides data on the incidence, mortality, and disability rates of 369 diseases and injuries from 1990 to 2021. Data on the prevalence, incidence, mortality, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) of CHD were extracted from the GBD 2021 study for South, East, Southeast, and high-income Asia regions, encompassing the relevant countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. The Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) in age-standardized rates of congenital heart disease was determined to assess temporal trends. Cohort proportions by age and gender were taken into account. The various SDI in five regions were used to assess the illness burden. Result Our research encompasses 34 countries and regions across five Asian subregions, conducting a detailed analysis of the disease burden related to CHD. The results indicate a significant reduction in mortality rates and case numbers between 1990 and 2021. Additionally, there has been a substantial decrease in YLLs and DALYs. However, Central Asia presents contrasting trends, suggesting that this region faces considerable challenges in the prevention and management of CHD. In 2021, Central Asia demonstrated markedly higher ASMR, ASIR, age-standardized YLLs rates, and age-standardized DALYs rates compared to the other four Asian subregions under investigation. In the same year, data from the five Asian subregions revealed that ASMR and ASPR were highest among children under the age of five. Moreover, across all age groups, the prevalence rate was consistently higher among males. From 1990 to 2021, high SDI countries experienced a notable decline in the proportion of childhood deaths attributable to CHD. Conclusion From 1990 to 2021, while the mortality rate of congenital heart disease (CHD) exhibited a downward trend in most regions and countries, significant disparities in CHD incidence and mortality rates persist across different countries. Many countries and regions still face substantial challenges in further reducing the disease burden. Consequently, it is imperative to enhance public health interventions and allocate additional resources to medical infrastructure, with the aim of improving patient prognosis and alleviating the burden of CHD. Notably, for countries with mid-to-low SDI, prioritizing policies that promote early diagnosis and comprehensive care is essential.