Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2026 Oct 12;21:628759. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S628759. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is strongly linked to heart failure (HF), but comprehensive global evaluations of COPD-associated HF remain limited.
METHODS: Using Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data, we assessed prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of COPD-associated HF. We applied decomposition analysis, Joinpoint regression, and Bayesian age-period-cohort modeling to evaluate trends by sex, age, sociodemographic index (SDI), and region, and to project burden to 2050.
RESULTS: In 2021, global COPD-associated HF cases exceeded 3.61 million, a 1.4-fold increase since 1990. Age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) and YLD rates (ASYR) increased overall. Absolute cases and YLDs rose in both sexes, but age-standardized rates declined in males and rose in females. Burden peaked at ages 70-74 and grew fastest among those aged ≥95. The Middle SDI region had the highest counts; East Asia had the highest regional burden, and China the highest national absolute burden. Only High-SDI regions showed rising ASPR and ASYR; most other regions declined, notably Eastern Europe. Projections indicate global increases in ASPR and ASYR from 2022 to 2050, with slightly higher rises in females than males.
CONCLUSION: The global burden of COPD-associated HF continues to rise with substantial heterogeneity and is projected to increase further. Coordinated international efforts and targeted prevention and management are urgently needed.
PMID:42891260 | PMC:PMC13674292 | DOI:10.2147/COPD.S628759