The Trends in Global, Regional, and National Incidence of Pneumoconiosis Caused by Different Etiologies: An Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: Pneumoconiosis has the potential to cause progressive and permanent physical disability. And continues to be one of major public health concern across the world. Accurate data on the incidence of pneumoconiosis is critical for health resource planning and health policy development. We therefore aimed to determine the pattern of pneumoconiosis incidence and temporal trends. Methods: Annual incident cases and age standardized incidence rates on pneumoconiosis etiology between 1990-2017 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. We calculate the average annual percentage changes of age standardized incidence rates by sex, region, and etiology to determine incidence trends of pneumoconiosis. Findings: Globally, the number of pneumoconiosis cases increased 66*0% from 36,186 in 1990 to 60,055 in 2017. The overall ASIR decreased by an average 0*6% (95% CI 0*5% to 0*6%) per year in the same period. The ASIR of silicosis, asbestosis, and other pneumoconiosis decreased between 1990 and 2017. The corresponding AAPCs were -0*8 (95% CI -0*9 to -0*7), -0*9 (95% CI -0*9 to -0*8), and -0*5 (95% CI -0*5 to -0*5), respectively. The ASIR of asbestosis displayed an increasing trend (AAPC = 0*6; 95% CI 0*5 to 0*6). At the same time, we also found a significant negative association was found between AAPCs and SDIs when the SDI above 0*7. Interpretation: Pneumoconiosis remains a major occupational health illnesses in the world. Incidence patterns of pneumoconiosis caused by different etiologies were heterogeneous across regions and countries. We observed an unfavorable trend that asbestosis was predominant in countries with a high socio-demographic index, though we have attained great achievements in silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis prevention. The information in this study suggests that some countries should establish more targeted and specific strategies to forestall the increase in pneumoconiosis. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China. Declaration of Interest: All authors have no actual or potential competing financial interest. Ethical Approval Statement: Not required.