Respiratory diseases in Mexico: analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021

Respiratory diseases (RD) are often analyzed separately rather than collectively, possibly leading to an underestimation of their total burden.

To analyze the burden of RD in Mexico for population aged 20 or older from 1990 to 2021.

We present the burden of RD in Mexico based on estimates of the Global Burden of Disease study for mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), comprising counts, rates per 100,000, as well as age-standardized rates. RDs were categorized into three key groups: chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), respiratory infections (RI), and respiratory cancers.

In 2021, among those aged 20+, RDs were responsible for 336,728 deaths, which accounts for 30.5% of total deaths -a nearly threefold increase since 2019, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CRDs contributed with 3.4% of total deaths; RIs, with 25.9%; and respiratory cancers, with 1.2%. CRDs showed a continuous rise in deaths, crude mortality, and DALY rates across genders, with no signs of leveling. RD burden varied widely across Mexican states. Age-standardized CRD mortality rates have generally declined since 1990, except for interstitial lung diseases, which have consistently increased.

The significant burden of mortality and disability due to RDs in Mexico underscores the n|ecessity for enhanced prevention, research, and for addressing risk factors such as smoking and pollution. Ongoing healthcare training can help reduce RD burden.