Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the global burden, trends, and regional variations of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among women of childbearing age (WCBA), contributing to better-targeted prevention and management strategies. METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 were analyzed to estimate the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to RHD among WCBA globally and by region from 1990 to 2021. Projections of the RHD incidence rate from 2022 to 2040 were generated using the Bayesian age-period-cohort model. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 1,248,510 new cases of RHD among WCBA, with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 64.31 per 100,000 population. RHD resulted in 40,195 deaths and 3,190,496 DALYs, with age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) of 2.06 and 163.51 per 100,000, respectively. The global burden of RHD showed a slight increase in incidence (0.36% per year) from 1990 to 2021, while mortality and DALYs decreased by 2.85% and 2.04%, respectively. Regionally, Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASIR, while high-income regions like Western Europe showed the lowest. RHD burden was more pronounced in low- Sociodemographic Index (SDI) regions, with a declining trend in high-SDI regions. Projections indicate continued increases in ASIR globally, particularly in regions with fluctuating trends like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, RHD remains a significant health challenge for women of childbearing age, especially in low- and middle-SDI regions where the burden is highest. Despite declines in global mortality and DALYs, incidence continues to rise in several areas, particularly among younger females. We recommend implementing integrated RHD screening programs in primary care, with a focus on adolescent girls and women in low- and middle-income countries.