Modifiable Risks, Unmodifiable Outcomes: Alcohol and Tobacco's Role in Global Stroke Burden

This study utilizes data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) to assess the global stroke burden attributable to alcohol and tobacco.

Data on deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and risk factor exposures were extracted from GBD 2021 for the period from 1990 to 2021. Epidemiological methods were employed to assess the burden of stroke attributable to alcohol and tobacco, with age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR) calculated to allow comparisons across different age structures and regions.

In 2021, alcohol use was attributed to 360,720 (95% UI: 85,963 to 701,813) global deaths, and tobacco to 1,077,805 (95% UI: 865,541 to 1,320,754) deaths. Despite increased deaths, ASMR for both risk factors declined significantly. The DALY burden due to alcohol use rose from 6,003,243 (95% UI: 1,323,435 to 11,423,164) in 1990 to 8,437,272 (95% UI: 2,056,466 to 16,101,315) in 2021, while the ASDR per 100,000 decreased. For tobacco, the DALY burden increased from 25,195,960 (95% UI: 21,222,116 to 29,905,438) in 1990 to 28,531,039 (95% UI: 23,461,345 to 34,072,552) in 2021, with a decline in ASDR per 100,000.

The study provides a granular analysis of the global stroke burden linked to alcohol and tobacco use, underscoring the urgency of these factors in stroke etiology.

The global burden of stroke attributable to high alcohol consumption and tobacco use remains considerable, exhibiting significant variations across different genders, age groups, and geographical regions. This study underscores the significance of addressing modifiable risk factors within stroke prevention strategies.