Global, Regional, and National Burdens and Trends of Multiple Myeloma in Men Aged 60 Years and Older: An Analysis using the Global Burden of Disease Database (1990-2021)

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematological disease worldwide. In light of rapid advances in medical technologies and complex socioeconomic circumstances, a report detailing the latest epidemiological patterns of MM in men aged ≥ 60 years would be vital for policymakers to ensure judicious healthcare resource use and allocation, forming the basis of this study. Herein, we analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database (from 1990 to 2021). We specifically focused on four key MM-related indicators, including prevalence, incidence, Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs), and Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC). The data were largely presented as estimated 95% Uncertainty Intervals (UI). The age-period-cohort (APC) and Average annual percentage change (AAPC) model was used for further analysis. In 2021, the global MM prevalence, incidence, and DALYs in men aged ≥ 60 years were approximately 159,923, 64,181, and 980,993, respectively. Furthermore, over the past 32 years, the global MM prevalence, incidence, and DALY rates have increased, with EAPC values of 1.70 (95% UI: 1.50 ~ 1.90), 0.72 (95% UI: 0.63 ~ 0.82), and 0.22 (95% UI: 0.14 ~ 0.29), respectively. It is also noteworthy that in 2021, among the five Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions, the MM prevalence (91,233), incidence (33,288), and DALYs (44,767,678) in men aged ≥ 60 years were the largest number in the high SDI regions, accounting for ⁓50% of the global total. This phenomenon highlights the significance of tailored interventions for MM patients, aligning with several World Health Organization’s (WHO) sustainable development goals.