Introduction: Burkitt lymphoma (BL), a highly aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, exhibits significant variation in incidence and survival rates across different geographic and economic regions. In OECD countries, the healthcare infrastructure and access to advanced medical technologies offer unique perspectives on disease management and outcomes. This study seeks to estimate the burden and trend of BL over the past three decades, exploring how socioeconomic factors influence diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes in these nations, ultimately aiming to guide more effective healthcare policies and targeted interventions.
Method: Using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 tool, we estimated the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with BL by age, sex, year, and location across the 38 OECD countries from 1990 to 2021. Non-fatal health outcomes were estimated using the DisMod-MR 2.1, a meta-regression tool, while fatal health outcomes were assessed using the Cause of Death Ensemble Model (CODEm).
Results: From 1990 to 2021, the total prevalence of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) increased from 18,072 (95% uncertainty interval: 13,003-27,085) to 70,428 (27,585-139,997), deaths from 705.62 (510.37-1,012.05) to 1,514.39 (614.56-2,819.89), and DALYs from 31,700.09 (23,530.9-45,620) to 51,413.66 (23,120.3-87,694). The highest annual percentage change (APC) in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was observed in the Republic of Korea at 4.78%, followed by Poland at 4.65%, Slovakia at 4.26%, and Portugal at 4.07%, with the United States observing a 2.01% increase from 1990 to 2021. In terms of the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), the greatest increases were observed in Slovakia at 1.7%, Costa Rica at 1.68%, Poland at 1.47%, Germany at 1.43%, the United Kingdom at 1.375%, France at 1.19%, and the USA at 0.92%. Age-wise, the highest incidence in 2021 was observed in individuals aged 75-79 years at 1,304 cases (415-2,955), the most deaths in those aged 70-74 years at 180 (62-356), and the greatest DALYs in those aged 60-64 years at 4,440 (1,803-8,356). Regarding gender, females exhibited a higher overall burden compared to males, with total percentage changes in prevalence of 284% for males versus 302% for females, deaths 110% for males versus 124% for females, and DALYs 56% for males versus 77% for females from 1990 to 2021.
Conclusion: The significant escalation in the burden of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) across OECD countries over the last three decades underscores an urgent need for targeted interventions and enhanced healthcare strategies. Despite advanced healthcare infrastructures, the rising prevalence, mortality, and DALYs associated with BL call for a reassessment of current oncological practices and preventive measures. Particularly, the marked increases in age-standardized incidence and mortality rates highlight the potential benefits of early detection programs and personalized treatment plans. Moreover, the disparities observed between genders and across different age groups suggest that tailored approaches, which consider demographic-specific risk factors and health profiles, could improve outcomes. Strengthening international collaborations for research and sharing best practices can also drive more effective management of BL. Ultimately, addressing this growing burden requires a multifaceted approach that integrates enhanced diagnostic techniques, robust public health initiatives, and global policy adjustments aimed at reducing the impact of Burkitt lymphoma on populations within the OECD sphere.
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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