The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data

BackgroundAdverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) pose critical global health challenges, yet comprehensive analyses of their long-term burden across socio-demographic contexts remain limited. This study evaluates 30-year trends (1990–2021) in AEMT-related mortality, disability-adjusted life yea...

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Main Authors: Hanxin Lu, Xinyan Cheng, Jun Xiong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Big Data
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdata.2025.1590551/full
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author Hanxin Lu
Xinyan Cheng
Jun Xiong
author_facet Hanxin Lu
Xinyan Cheng
Jun Xiong
author_sort Hanxin Lu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAdverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) pose critical global health challenges, yet comprehensive analyses of their long-term burden across socio-demographic contexts remain limited. This study evaluates 30-year trends (1990–2021) in AEMT-related mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs) across 204 countries using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data.MethodsAge-standardized rates (ASRs) were stratified by sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. Frontier efficiency analysis quantified health loss boundaries relative to SDI, while concentration (C) and slope indices of inequality (SII) assessed health inequities. Predictive models projected trends to 2035.ResultsGlobal age-standardized mortality rates (ASDR) declined by 36.3%, with low-SDI countries achieving the steepest reductions (5.31 to 3.71/100,000) but remaining 3.9-fold higher than high-SDI nations. DALYs decreased by 39.7% (106.49 to 64.19/100,000), driven by infectious disease control in low-SDI regions. High-SDI countries experienced post-2010 mortality rebounds (0.86 to 0.95/100,000), linked to aging and complex interventions. YLLs declined by 40.3% (104.87 to 62.66/100,000), while YLDs peaked transiently (2010: 1.95/100,000). Frontier analysis revealed low-SDI countries lagged furthest from optimal health outcomes, and inequality indices highlighted entrenched disparities (C: −0.34 for premature mortality). Projections suggest continued declines in ASDR, DALYs, and YLLs by 2035, contingent on addressing antimicrobial resistance and surgical overuse.ConclusionsSDI-driven inequities necessitate tailored interventions: low-SDI regions require strengthened infection control and primary care, while high-SDI systems must mitigate overmedicalization risks. Hybrid strategies integrating digital health and cross-sector collaboration are critical for equitable burden reduction.
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spelling doaj-art-e9efde48efbe45dd920452ad7c7ae8f12025-08-20T03:34:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Big Data2624-909X2025-08-01810.3389/fdata.2025.15905511590551The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 dataHanxin LuXinyan ChengJun XiongBackgroundAdverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) pose critical global health challenges, yet comprehensive analyses of their long-term burden across socio-demographic contexts remain limited. This study evaluates 30-year trends (1990–2021) in AEMT-related mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs) across 204 countries using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data.MethodsAge-standardized rates (ASRs) were stratified by sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. Frontier efficiency analysis quantified health loss boundaries relative to SDI, while concentration (C) and slope indices of inequality (SII) assessed health inequities. Predictive models projected trends to 2035.ResultsGlobal age-standardized mortality rates (ASDR) declined by 36.3%, with low-SDI countries achieving the steepest reductions (5.31 to 3.71/100,000) but remaining 3.9-fold higher than high-SDI nations. DALYs decreased by 39.7% (106.49 to 64.19/100,000), driven by infectious disease control in low-SDI regions. High-SDI countries experienced post-2010 mortality rebounds (0.86 to 0.95/100,000), linked to aging and complex interventions. YLLs declined by 40.3% (104.87 to 62.66/100,000), while YLDs peaked transiently (2010: 1.95/100,000). Frontier analysis revealed low-SDI countries lagged furthest from optimal health outcomes, and inequality indices highlighted entrenched disparities (C: −0.34 for premature mortality). Projections suggest continued declines in ASDR, DALYs, and YLLs by 2035, contingent on addressing antimicrobial resistance and surgical overuse.ConclusionsSDI-driven inequities necessitate tailored interventions: low-SDI regions require strengthened infection control and primary care, while high-SDI systems must mitigate overmedicalization risks. Hybrid strategies integrating digital health and cross-sector collaboration are critical for equitable burden reduction.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdata.2025.1590551/fulladverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT)Global Burden of Disease (GBD)Socio-Demographic Index (SDI)health inequitiesfrontier analysis
spellingShingle Hanxin Lu
Xinyan Cheng
Jun Xiong
The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
Frontiers in Big Data
adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT)
Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
Socio-Demographic Index (SDI)
health inequities
frontier analysis
title The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
title_full The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
title_fullStr The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
title_full_unstemmed The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
title_short The global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment: a 30-year socio-demographic and geographic analysis using GBD 2021 data
title_sort global burden of adverse effects of medical treatment a 30 year socio demographic and geographic analysis using gbd 2021 data
topic adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT)
Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
Socio-Demographic Index (SDI)
health inequities
frontier analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdata.2025.1590551/full
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