Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study

Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) persist as a major global health threat. This study analyses the 1991–2021 trends in LRI mortality, deaths, and aetiologies across 204 countries using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, aiming to evaluate the disease burden of LRIs and provide evidence-based guid...

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Main Authors: Meichen Li, Min Liu, Jue Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/892
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author Meichen Li
Min Liu
Jue Liu
author_facet Meichen Li
Min Liu
Jue Liu
author_sort Meichen Li
collection DOAJ
description Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) persist as a major global health threat. This study analyses the 1991–2021 trends in LRI mortality, deaths, and aetiologies across 204 countries using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, aiming to evaluate the disease burden of LRIs and provide evidence-based guidance for prevention strategies. To quantify the temporal trends, the annual percentage change was estimated (EAPC) using linear regression modeling. Globally, the ASMR for LRI decreased by an average of 2.29% annually (95% CI: 2.16–2.42%). While ASMR decreased in 20 of the GBD regions, mortality rates in Southern Latin America increased (EAPC = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.98–1.67). The LRI burden remains the heaviest in low SDI regions and sub-Saharan Africa. LRIs continue to cause high mortality in children and the elderly. Mortality in children decreased rapidly, while mortality in the elderly declined more slowly. <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> was the leading cause of LRI-related deaths, followed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. LRIs remain a leading cause of global mortality, especially in low SDI regions, and among children and the elderly. Future research on LRIs and the development of effective prevention and control strategies are essential to reduce the disease burden of LRIs.
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spelling doaj-art-9c0adafb3948436b943d77ef26abfc292025-08-20T03:56:49ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-06-0117789210.3390/v17070892Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic StudyMeichen Li0Min Liu1Jue Liu2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaLower respiratory infections (LRIs) persist as a major global health threat. This study analyses the 1991–2021 trends in LRI mortality, deaths, and aetiologies across 204 countries using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, aiming to evaluate the disease burden of LRIs and provide evidence-based guidance for prevention strategies. To quantify the temporal trends, the annual percentage change was estimated (EAPC) using linear regression modeling. Globally, the ASMR for LRI decreased by an average of 2.29% annually (95% CI: 2.16–2.42%). While ASMR decreased in 20 of the GBD regions, mortality rates in Southern Latin America increased (EAPC = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.98–1.67). The LRI burden remains the heaviest in low SDI regions and sub-Saharan Africa. LRIs continue to cause high mortality in children and the elderly. Mortality in children decreased rapidly, while mortality in the elderly declined more slowly. <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> was the leading cause of LRI-related deaths, followed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. LRIs remain a leading cause of global mortality, especially in low SDI regions, and among children and the elderly. Future research on LRIs and the development of effective prevention and control strategies are essential to reduce the disease burden of LRIs.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/892lower respiratory infectionsdeathsASMRaetiology
spellingShingle Meichen Li
Min Liu
Jue Liu
Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
Viruses
lower respiratory infections
deaths
ASMR
aetiology
title Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
title_full Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
title_fullStr Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
title_full_unstemmed Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
title_short Trends in the Mortality, Deaths, and Aetiologies of Lower Respiratory Infections Among 204 Countries from 1991 to 2021: An Updated Systematic Study
title_sort trends in the mortality deaths and aetiologies of lower respiratory infections among 204 countries from 1991 to 2021 an updated systematic study
topic lower respiratory infections
deaths
ASMR
aetiology
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/892
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AT minliu trendsinthemortalitydeathsandaetiologiesoflowerrespiratoryinfectionsamong204countriesfrom1991to2021anupdatedsystematicstudy
AT jueliu trendsinthemortalitydeathsandaetiologiesoflowerrespiratoryinfectionsamong204countriesfrom1991to2021anupdatedsystematicstudy