This global study spanning from 1990 to 2021, published in Pulmonary Circulation, aimed to delineate the global burden of pulmonary arterial hypertension among women of childbearing age. The research reveals both encouraging and concerning trends. While mortality and disability rates have declined over the past three decades due to improved treatments, the absolute number of cases continues to grow, and significant disparities exist between countries and regions. The study highlights the particular challenges faced by women of childbearing age, who must navigate not only the disease itself but also its implications for pregnancy and maternal health.
The data shows clear patterns related to socioeconomic development, with higher-income countries often showing higher prevalence rates (likely due to better diagnostic capabilities) but lower mortality rates, while resource-constrained regions face higher mortality and disability burdens despite potentially having more undiagnosed cases.
Read more at this link on the Wiley Online Library
Summary by Suzanne Lea, volunteer for the AfPH
Citation
Global, Regional, and National Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Among Women of Childbearing Age, 1990–2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, Junjun Liu, Wenjun Wang, Pulmonary Circulation, First published: 20 August 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.70154
