Global Burden of Pancreatic Cancer Attributable to High Body-Mass Index in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990–2019

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aimed to assess the global burden of pancreatic cancer attributable to a high BMI in 1990–2019. (2) Methods: An ecological study was carried out. Data about deaths and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for pancreatic cancer were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The age-standardized rates (ASRs, per 100,000) were presented. In order to determine trends of pancreatic cancer burden, joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC). (3) Results: The highest ASRs of DALYs of pancreatic cancer were found in the United Arab Emirates (47.5 per 100.000), followed by countries with about 25.0 per 100,000 (such as Hungary, Czechia, and Montenegro). From 1990 to 2019, the ASRs of deaths and DALYs of pancreatic cancer attributable to a high BMI significantly increased (p < 0.001) for both sexes in all ages, and across all SDI quintiles and all GBD regions. The highest fraction of DALYs attributable to a high BMI was found in the United States of America and China (equally about 15.0%), followed by the Russian Federation, India, Germany, and Brazil (about 5.0%, equally). (4) Conclusions: Further analytical epidemiological studies are necessary to elucidate the relationship between pancreatic cancer and a high BMI.