Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the disease burden of anxiety disorders globally, in middle SDI countries, and in China using GBD public database. METHODS: Data on anxiety disorders were extracted from the GBD database, and GBDR_V2.36 was used for data visualization and plotting. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, global anxiety disorder cases and prevalence rose steadily. In 2021, the 30-34 age group had the highest global cases (male:female≈3:7), while DALY rates peaked in 25-29-year-olds. Medium-SDI countries followed similar trends, with peak DALYs in the 20-24 age group. China saw declining prevalence/incidence but rising DALYs, with highest cases in 50-54-year-olds (male:female≈3:5) and DALY rates in 75-84-year-olds. Globally, medium-SDI countries, and China, incidence peaked in 10-14-year-olds. Projections suggest China's anxiety disorder burden will surge through 2035. CONCLUSION: Globally and in middle SDI countries, prevalence, incidence, and DALY rates increased, with the 30-34 age group showing the highest case burden (women outnumbering men) and peak DALY rates in younger adults (25-29 globally, 20-24 in middle SDI). In contrast, China saw a decline in prevalence and incidence, with the burden peaking later (50-54 for cases, 75-84 for DALYs). Projections indicate rising anxiety disorder burden in China by 2035, necessitating region- and age-specific interventions.