Global burden of 13 non-communicable diseases attributable to high fasting plasma glucose from the GBD 2021 study

High fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) is a major risk factor for diseases, posing a serious public health challenge. This study examines the global burden of 13 non-communicable diseases (NCDs) attributed to HFPG.

We used the 2021 GBD Study to analyze deaths and DALYs linked to HFPG( > 4.90-5.30 mmol/L). Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) was used to assess development levels, with subgroup analyses by geography, year, gender, and SDI.

In 2021, HFPG contributed to 5.15 million deaths and 151.95 million DALYs globally. From 1990 to 2021, the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in deaths and DALYs were 0.11 and 0.55, respectively. Diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke accounted for the most deaths (1.66, 1.35, and 0.84 million). Liver cancer, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and pancreatic cancer showed the fastest mortality increases, with EAPCs of 1.90, 1.69, and 1.34, respectively. IHD and stroke had declining mortality burdens, with EAPCs of -0.13 and -0.98.

Over 30 years, HFPG-related NCDs have increased globally. Diabetes, IHD, and stroke remain the top burdens, while liver cancer, CKD, and pancreatic cancer are rising fastest. The disease burden in men is higher than in women, except for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and people with blindness and vision loss (BVL).