Epidemiology of Kaposi's Sarcoma in Uzbekistan, 2016-2024: Gender-, Age-, and Region-Specific Differences

To describe the epidemiology of Kaposi sarcoma in Uzbekistan from 2016 to 2024.

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using aggregated registry data from the Uzbekistan Ministry of Health. Crude rates (CR) and WHO age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) per 100,000 population were estimated. Data were compared by sex, age, residence (urban/rural), and region using log-linear models and z-tests for statistical significance.

A total of 351 cases were recorded; males accounted for 75.8% and females for 24.2%. Annual ASRs in men significantly exceeded those in women across all years (e.g., 0.20 vs. 0.08 in 2024, p < 0.01). Rural residents comprised 62.4% of the total cases. Significant regional heterogeneity was observed, with rural ASRs significantly higher than urban ASRs in specific regions, such as Bukhara (0.31 rural vs. 0.09 urban, p = 0.011) and Kashkadarya (0.25 rural vs. 0.05 urban, p < 0.001). The disease was concentrated in older populations, with the highest incidence observed in the 70-74 age group. Conversely, the Republic of Karakalpakstan demonstrated a significant overall downward trend (APC -13.73%, 95% CI -19.99 to -6.99, p < 0.001).

The incidence of Kaposi sarcoma in Uzbekistan remains low but is characterized by a significant male predominance, concentration in older age groups, and marked geographic and urban-rural disparities.