The global burden of heart failure attributable to interstitial lung diseases: insights from the global burden of disease study 2021.

BACKGROUND

The burden of interstitial lung disease (ILD)-associated heart failure (HF) poses a significant challenge to the prognosis of ILD patients. This study aimed to characterize the disease burden and analyse future trends of ILD-associated HF, offering valuable insights to inform targeted prevention and control strategies.

METHODS

Data on the prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of ILD-associated HF were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database for the period 1990-2021. Trends in ILD-associated HF were evaluated using average annual percentage change (AAPC) and percentage change analyses. Future prevalence data were projected up to 2050 using predictive modelling.

RESULTS

Globally, the number of patients with ILD-associated HF increased from 20,229 in 1990 to 104,059 in 2021, with the prevalence rising from 0.53 to 1.41 per 100,000 population. Prevalence rates were disproportionately higher in older populations, with individuals over 95 years experiencing a 17.78-fold increase over the study period. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between higher socioeconomic development index (SDI) levels and ILD-associated HF prevalence. Among 204 countries, 71.1% exhibited an increasing trend in prevalence. However, Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modelling predicts a declining trend over the next 28 years.

CONCLUSION

Over the past three decades, the global burden of ILD-associated HF has escalated, particularly among individuals aged over 65 and in regions with high SDI levels. These findings underscore the need for region-specific, personalized intervention strategies to mitigate disease progression and enhance the quality of life for ILD patients.