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. 2023 Dec;55(1):2215540.
doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2215540.

Global, regional and national burden of orofacial clefts from 1990 to 2019: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Dawei Wang  1 , Boyu Zhang  1 , Qi Zhang  1 , Yiping Wu  1
Affiliations

Global, regional and national burden of orofacial clefts from 1990 to 2019: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Dawei Wang et al. Ann Med. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Orofacial clefts are the most common congenital malformation, but the global burden and trends of orofacial clefts have not been comprehensively analysed. The aim of this study was to assess the global incidence, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of orofacial clefts by countries, regions, sex and sociodemographic index (SDI) from 1990 to 2019.

Methods: The data on orofacial clefts were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The incidence, deaths and DALYs were analysed by countries, regions, sex and SDI. Age-standardized rates and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were calculated to evaluate the burden and temporal trend of orofacial clefts. The association between EAPC and the human development index was assessed.

Results: Globally, the incidence, deaths and DALYs of orofacial clefts decreased from 1990 to 2019. The high SDI region showed the biggest downward trend in incidence rate from 1990 to 2019, along with the lowest age-standardized death rate and DALY rate. Some countries, such as Suriname and Zimbabwe, experienced increased death rate and DALY rate over time. The age-standardized death rate and DALY rate were negatively associated with the level of socioeconomic development.

Conclusion: Global achievement is evident in the control of the burden of orofacial clefts. The future focus of prevention should be on low-income countries, such as South Asia and Africa, by increasing healthcare resources and improving quality.KEY MESSAGESThis is the most recent estimate of the global epidemiology of orofacial clefts, with some countries not previously assessed.The global burden of orofacial clefts showed downward trends from 1990 to 2019; however, some low-income countries are still suffering from increasing burdens.Effective measures should be taken to reduce the burden of orofacial clefts in the uncontrolled regions.

Keywords: DALYs; Orofacial clefts; deaths; global burden; incidence.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
ASR and EAPC of orofacial clefts across 204 countries/territories. (A) ASR of incidence in 2019; (B) EAPC in ASR of incidence from 1990 to 2019; (C) ASR of deaths in 2019; (D) EAPC in ASR of deaths from 1990 to 2019; (E) ASR of DALYs in 2019; (F) EAPC in ASR of DALYs from 1990 to 2019. ASR: age-standardized rate; EAPC: estimated annual percentage changes; DALYs: disability-adjusted life years.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The incidence of orofacial clefts. (A) The number of incident cases in 21 regions from 1990 to 2019; (B) the ASR of incidence in males and females from 1990 to 2019; (C) changes in incident cases in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (D) changes in ASR of incidence in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (E) association between SDI and ASR of incidence in 21 regions; (F) association between HDI and EAPC in ASR of incidence. ASR: age-standardized rate; EAPC: estimated annual percentage changes; SDI: sociodemographic index; HDI: human development index.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The deaths of orofacial clefts. (A) The number of deaths in 21 regions from 1990 to 2019; (B) The ASR of deaths in males and females from 1990 to 2019; (C) Changes in deaths in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (D) Changes in ASR of deaths in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (E) Association between SDI and ASR of deaths in 21 regions; (F) Association between HDI and EAPC in ASR of deaths. ASR: age-standardized rate; EAPC: estimated annual percentage changes; SDI: sociodemographic index; HDI: human development index.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The DALYs of orofacial clefts. (A) The number of DALYs in 21 regions from 1990 to 2019; (B) The ASR of DALYs in males and females from 1990 to 2019; (C) Changes in DALYs in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (D) Changes in ASR of DALYs in five SDI regions from 1990 to 2019; (E) Association between SDI and ASR of DALYs in 21 regions; (F) Association between HDI and EAPC in ASR of DALYs. DALYs: disability-adjusted life years; ASR: age-standardized rate; EAPC: estimated annual percentage changes; SDI: sociodemographic index; HDI: human development index.
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