Data Sheet 1_Burden of aortic aneurysm and lead exposure risk factor in adults aged 60 years and older from 1990 to 2021: a global, regional, and national analysis.docx

IntroductionAortic aneurysm (AA) is a life-threatening vascular disease that primarily affects older adults and represents a major global health challenge. However, the global burden of AA among the older adult population and the contribution of environmental lead exposure remain insufficiently characterized.
MethodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, we analyzed the burden of AA among individuals aged ≥60 years. Secondary analyses were conducted for deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), the age-standardized death rate (ASDR), and the age-standardized DALYs rate at the global level, across five Socio-demographic Index (SDI) groups, 21 GBD regions, and 204 countries. The contribution of lead exposure to AA burden was assessed, and future trends in ASDR and age-standardized DALYs rate were projected for the next 15 years based on trends from 1990 to 2021.
ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021, the global burden of AA among adults aged ≥60 years decreased modestly, although substantial regional heterogeneity persisted, particularly in less-developed regions. Lead exposure contributed disproportionately to the AA burden among older men. Projections based on historical trends indicate that both ASDR and the age-standardized DALYs rate will continue to decline steadily over the next 15 years, with a more pronounced decrease in males than in females.
DiscussionDespite overall improvements, the burden of AA among older adults remains unevenly distributed worldwide. Given the notable contribution of lead exposure—especially among older men—region-specific strategies that integrate vascular risk management with environmental lead control are needed to mitigate the impact of population aging and address geographic and sex-related disparities in AA burden.