Rising Global Burden of Diabetes and Kidney Disease in Women Aged 15-49 Years: A Global Burden of Disease 2021 Analysis

PURPOSE: Diabetes and kidney diseases pose escalating threats to women's health, yet their combined burden among women aged 15-49 years remains underexplored. This study used data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study to quantify trends in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CKD subtypes attributable to hypertension and T2DM across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021, addressing important gaps in metabolic and kidney health research. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using GBD 2021 methodology, we calculated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPCs). Analyses were stratified by Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) to dissect socioeconomic disparities. RESULTS: Global age-standardized DALYs and ASIR for diabetes and kidney diseases increased from 1990 to 2021. T2DM accounted for the greatest burden and showed the most rapid increase. Low-SDI regions experienced the highest disease burden, whereas high-SDI regions exhibited the fastest growth in T2DM. Marked regional disparities were observed, with Oceania and North Africa/Middle East showing particularly high incidence and burden. CONCLUSION: The global burden of diabetes and kidney disease among women aged 15-49 years is rapidly increasing, driven predominantly by T2DM. Low-SDI regions face disproportionate burdens, whereas high-SDI areas experience the most rapid growth in T2DM. These findings highlight important socioeconomic inequalities and support the need for context-specific public health strategies, including early screening, metabolic risk reduction, and improved access to diabetes and kidney disease prevention and management services.