Endocr Pract. 2026 Jan 29:S1530-891X(26)00031-5. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2026.01.014. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with metabolic risk factors (MRFs) playing a predominant role. This is of particular concern for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), as it can lead to lifelong cardiovascular risk. However, a comprehensive assessment of this burden is lacking.
METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we estimated the mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by CVD-MRFs among individuals aged 15-39 years from 1990 to 2021. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Joinpoint regression analyzed trends, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort model projected future burden to 2050.
RESULTS: In 2021, CVD-MRFs caused 213,000 deaths and 12.9 million DALYs globally among AYAs. While age-standardized rates declined modestly, absolute deaths and DALYs increased by 29.1% and 30.4% since 1990. The burden was highest in middle and low-middle SDI regions and was twice as high in males as in females. The 20-24-year age group was the only subgroup with a rising mortality trend. High body-mass index (BMI) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were the most rapidly growing MRFs, though high systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol remained the leading risks. Ischemic heart disease was the predominant condition. Projections indicate a persistent absolute burden through 2050.
CONCLUSIONS: The AYAs face a growing absolute burden of CVD-MRFs, driven notably by high BMI and FPG. Urgent, targeted prevention strategies are essential, particularly for males, young adults aged 20-24 years, and populations in middle and low-middle SDI regions.
PMID:41619810 | DOI:10.1016/j.eprac.2026.01.014