02707nas a2200325 4500000000100000008004100001260005300042653001800095653003500113653002800148653001600176653002900192100000900221700001000230700001100240700001000251700000900261700001100270700001200281700001000293700001100303700001200314700001100326245010700337856007300444300000900517490000700526520183400533022001402367 2025 d c11/2025bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aLeishmaniasis10aDisability adjusted life-years10a Sociodemographic index10aRisk factor10aGlobal Burden of Disease1 aLi S1 aQiu T1 aZhao N1 aLiu M1 aHe X1 aWang X1 aJiang S1 aLuo M1 aWang S1 aZhang L1 aWang X00aGlobal burden of leishmaniasis, 1990–2021: systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12939-025-02691-0.pdf a1-130 v243 a

Background

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with significant global public health implications, leading to diverse clinical manifestations. It disproportionately affects impoverished populations in over 90 countries, making it a major health concern worldwide.

Methods

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global burden of leishmaniasis from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries and territories, using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. It estimates the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with leishmaniasis, assessing its impact across different age groups, sexes, and sociodemographic index (SDI) categories.

Results

The findings show a decline in the global age-standardized DALY rate for visceral leishmaniasis, from 75.73 to 5.39 per 100,000 population (a reduction of 92.9%). However, the DALY rate for cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis has increased from 3.86 to 4.88 per 100,000 (a 26.4% rise), particularly in low- and middle-SDI countries. The study also reveals significant sex disparities in occupational risk factors, with men being more vulnerable to environmental and industrial exposures. Additionally, nutritional deficiencies, particularly calcium and zinc deficiencies, are identified as significant global risk factors.

Conclusion

The results underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, particularly those addressing nutritional deficiencies and occupational exposures. Region-specific health strategies should be developed to account for local risk factors, sex differences, and the varying impacts of environmental and industrial exposures, especially in less developed regions.

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