Trends in the global burden of multiple myeloma, between 1990 and 2021, an up-to-date analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent hematologic cancer. This investigation analyzes the latest global, regional, and national data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021. Methods Data on the incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality rates of MM, including estimates and 95% uncertainty intervals, were sourced from the 2021 GBD Study. Furthermore, we explored the trends affecting the MM burden from 1990 to 2021, breaking it down by demographic, age, and epidemiological factors. Results By 2021, the global incidence of MM involved 148,754.63 reported cases, with confidence intervals ranging from 131,780.43 to 162,049.23. Worldwide, the number of mortalities attributed to MM reached 116,359.63, with the confidence interval lying between 103,078.62 and 128,470.57, and an age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) of 1.37 per 100,000 individuals, the confidence interval for which was 1.22 to 1.52. Conclusions There has been a consistent increase in the incidence, prevalence, and DALYs associated with MM. Most of the disease burden is seen in high income countries though its incidence is on the rise in low-income countries. Forecast for the years 2022–2050 shows the further increase in the incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and age-standardized death rates of MM.