The disease burden of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos in 2019
In 2019, the burden of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos was substantial. Specifically, 6557 deaths cases [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 2951–10664) were attributed to this exposure. The corresponding age-standardized deaths rate stood at 0.08 per 100,000 population, with a 95% UI of 0.04 to 0.14. Furthermore, the disease's impact on individuals' quality of life was reflected in the significant number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost, totaling 113268 cases (95% UI: 50081–184671). The age-standardized rate of DALYs was 1.4, with a 95% UI of 0.62 to 2.28 (Tables S1-2).
Figure S1 provides the detailed disease burden of deaths and DALYs across various age groups in 2019. Notably, the age-standardized deaths rate exhibited a consistent upward trend with increasing age. However, the age-standardized DALYs rate initially rose with age, peaking in the 85-89-year-old group, before subsequently decreasing. The observed patterns in the number of deaths and DALYs cases closely mirrored the trend exhibited by the age-standardized DALYs rate, as reflected in Tables S1-2.
Regarding the disease burden across SDI regions, the age-standardized rates (ASRs) of deaths and DALYs initially decrease and then increase as the SDI decreases. Notably, the high SDI regions exhibit the highest ASRs, while the middle SDI regions have the lowest. Conversely, the number of deaths and DALYs cases is inversely related to the SDI, meaning that the highest number of cases is observed in the high SDI regions, with the lowest number in the low SDI regions (Figure S2, Tables S1-2).
The Results section of our study reveals intriguing patterns across the 45 GBD regions in terms of deaths and DALYs cases, as well as their respective ASRs. Among these regions, the World Bank High Income region emerged as the leading GBD region to both deaths (4,266, 95% UI: 1,931-7,058) and DALYs cases (65,334, 95% UI: 29,273 − 108,779). Immediately following was the European Region, closely followed by Europe & Central Asia - WB. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Oceania recorded the lowest number of deaths (1, 95% UI: 0–2) and DALYs cases (23, 95% UI: 6–64), followed by Caribbean and Central Sub-Saharan Africa. When considering the ASRs, a different ranking emerged. The Commonwealth High Income region topped the list for both deaths (ASR: 0.36, 95% UI: 0.16–0.58) and DALYs (ASR: 5.78, 95% UI: 2.61–9.64), preceded by Australasia and Western Europe. Conversely, the Middle East & North Africa - WB region recorded the lowest ASRs for both deaths (0.01, 95% UI: 0.01–0.02) and DALYs (0.25, 95% UI: 0.12–0.48) (Figure S3, Tables S1-2).
The global burden of ovarian cancer attributed to occupational asbestos exposure exhibited significant variation among different countries of the world. Notably, the United Kingdom exhibited the highest age-standardized death rate and DALYs rate among all the countries surveyed, with 0.51 deaths (95% UI: 0.22–0.82) and 8.31 DALYs (95% UI: 3.59–13.67) per 100,000 populations in 2019. Norway followed closely in terms of these rates. Conversely, Guam reported the lowest age-standardized death rate and DALYs rate, with zero deaths (95% UI: 0-0.01) and 0.05 DALYs (95% UI: 0.01–0.13) per 100,000, followed by the Syrian Arab Republic and Cabo Verde. When considering the absolute numbers, the United States of America stood out as having the highest number of deaths and DALYs, totaling 932 deaths (95% UI: 415–1545) and 14,431 DALYs (95% UI: 6,223 − 24,325), respectively. The United Kingdom also ranked highly in this regard. On the other hand, Tokelau reported the lowest number of deaths and DALYs in 2019, with numbers close to zero, followed by Niue and Nauru (Fig. 1, Tables S1-2).
Temporal trend for disease burden of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos from 1990 to 2019
Globally, the number of deaths of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos rose significantly by 62.70%, from 4030 (95% UI: 1857–6541) in 1990 to 6557 (95% UI: 2951–10664) in 2019. However, the trend in the age-standardized deaths rate exhibited an opposing direction, with a significant decrease indicated by the EAPC of -1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI): -1.16–1.07). Similarly, the pattern observed in DALYs estimates mirrored this trend, with an increase of 47.16% in the number of DALYs cases, yet a decrease in the age-standardized DALYs rate, reflected by the EAPC value of -1.37 (95% CI: -1.40 to -1.33) (Tables S1-2, Fig. 2).
The trends observed in the number of deaths and DALYs across all age groups exhibited consistency with those of the overall population. Nevertheless, when analyzing the ASRs of deaths and DALYs, a notable exception was observed among individuals aged 90–94 years and those over 95 years. For these two specific age groups, the ASRs demonstrated an upward trend, indicating a distinct pattern compared to other age categories (Figure S4, Tables S1-2).
The trends in the number of deaths and DALYs across all SDI regions mirrored those observed in the overall population. Nevertheless, when examining the ASRs of deaths and DALYs, a distinct pattern emerged. The trends in High SDI regions and High-middle SDI regions were comparable, deviating from the remaining three SDI regions. Specifically, for these three regions, the ASRs exhibited a notable upward trend from 1990 to 2019, indicating a significant increase in the burden over time (Figure S5, Tables S1-2).
Across 45 GBD regions, significant variation was observed in the disease burden of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure. To identify regions exhibiting similar patterns of disease burden variation, a hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted in this study. The results of this analysis are presented in Figure S6. Notably, a significant increase in ASRs of deaths and DALYs was observed in several regions, including World Bank High Income, Western Europe, High-income Asia Pacific, North America, High-income North America, Commonwealth High Income, European Region, Europe & Central Asia -WB, Europe, Region of the Americas, and America. Conversely, a significant decrease in these rates was observed in North Africa and Middle East, Australasia, Eastern Europe, Middle East & North Africa -WB, East Asia & Pacific-WB, Central Asia, World Bank Upper Middle Income, and Tropical Latin America (Figure S6).
Across various countries and territories, the most significant increase in ASRs of deaths and DALYs from 1990 to 2019 was observed in Georgia. Specifically, the EAPC for deaths in Georgia was 8.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.98–10.39]. Similarly, the EAPC for DALYs in Georgia was 8.44 (95% CI: 6.79–10.11). Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua followed Georgia in terms of this upward trend. Conversely, the largest decrease in ASRs of deaths and DALYs was recorded in Ireland. The EAPC for deaths in Ireland was − 3.88 (95% CI: -4.29–3.47), indicating a substantial decline. Similarly, the EAPC for DALYs in Ireland was − 4.46 (95% CI -4.90–4.02) (Figure S7, Tables S1-2).
The predicted results for disease burden of ovarian cancer attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos from 2020 to 2030
The anticipated disease burden forecast for the period 2020 to 2030 revealed distinct patterns in both the APC and BAPC models (Tables S3-4, Figs. 3–4). Specifically, the ASRs were predicted to decrease annually in both models. However, when considering the number of deaths and DALYs cases, the APC model anticipated an increase, whereas the BAPC model projected a slight decrease.