Global, Regional, and National Incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for Urolithiasis in 195 Countries and Territories, 1990–2019: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Purpose: Urolithiasis is highly prevalent worldwide. The aim of this study was to report the results of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study on urolithiasis burden estimates grouped by gender, regions, countries or territories, and sociodemographic index (SDI) from 1990 to 2019 globally. Methods: We reported detailed estimates and temporal trends of the burden estimates of urolithiasis from 1990 to 2019 in 195 countries and territories and further evaluated the relationship between these estimates and SDI, a composite indicator of income per person, years of education, and fertility as a measurement of country/region socio-economic level. Urolithiasis incidence and disability-adjusted life years by gender, regions, countries or territories, and SDI were reported. The percentage change and estimated annual percentage change of these burden estimates were calculated to quantify temporal trends. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of urolithiasis decreased globally by 0.459% and 1.898% per year, respectively. Such a trend of ASIR was prominently due to the decline in the middle, high-middle, and high SDI countries, including Eastern Asia, high-income Eastern Europe, and high-income North America. During this period, these estimates increased in low and low-middle SDI countries, particularly in South Asia, Andean Latin America, and Western Europe. A decline in DALYs was observed in all SDI countries. An approximate positive linear association existed between the burden estimate’s decreased APC and SDI level, except at the high SDI level. Both males and females showed the same trend. Conclusions: This study provides comprehensive knowledge of the burden estimate of urolithiasis. Although the burden estimates of urolithiasis showed a global decrease during the past 29 years, this progress has yet to be universal; the increasing trends were observed in countries with low and low-middle SDI countries. Research in these countries is needed and helps with the appropriate allocation of health resources for prevention, screening, and treatment strategies.