Global burden of acute lymphoblastic leukemia following the COVID-19 pandemic

ALL is the most common childhood cancer globally, accounting for about 25% of cancer diagnoses in children under 15 years old. This study aimed to investigate the temporal trends and disparities in the global burden of ALL following the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.

Data were obtained from the GBD 2021 database, covering 204 countries and territories across five socio-demographic index (SDI) regions. Incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed, with age-standardized rates (ASRs) calculated for comparability. Joinpoint regression models and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were used to assess temporal trends from 1990 to 2021.

Globally, the incidence of ALL increased from 98,149 cases in 1990 to 103,727 cases in 2021, while the prevalence rose from 237,056 to 386,813 cases. However, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased from 1.8 to 1.4 per 100,000 persons (EAPC = -0.64), and the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) increased from 4.1 to 5.4 per 100,000 persons (EAPC = 1.4). Notably, a significant decrease in incidence was observed in high-middle, middle, and high SDI regions During 2019-2021. Deaths and DALYs showed a downward trend, with the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDALYs) decreasing across all SDI quintiles. The highest burden was observed in children under 5 years, with significant disparities between high-middle and middle SDI regions.

The study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global burden of ALL, particularly in high-middle and middle SDI regions. Tailored prevention strategies and improved healthcare access are needed to address disparities and reduce the burden of ALL. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of the pandemic on ALL. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of the pandemic on ALL outcomes and the development of targeted interventions for high-risk populations.