Epidemiological Trends and Disease Burden of Tracheal, Bronchial, and Lung Cancer in China and Globally From 1990 to 2021: Results From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to describe the incidence, mortality, and disease burden of tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer (TBL) in both China and worldwide. Methods We extracted estimates of the incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) for TBL from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. The age‐period‐cohort model was employed to explore the impacts of age, period, and birth cohort on TBL. Joinpoint regression analysis examined long‐term trends in TBL incidence, mortality, and DALYs. Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between TBL disease burden in 2021 and the economic development level of the regions. Results In 2021, the global age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age‐standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) for TBL were 26 (95% uncertainty intervals [UI]: 24–29), 24 (95% UI: 21–26), and 533 (95% UI: 480–586) per 100,000 population. In all regions, regardless of economic level, male TBL incidence, mortality, and DALYs were significantly higher than those in females. After age 45, the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR for TBL showed a geometric increase, peaking after age 85. Regions with higher economic levels faced higher TBL incidence and disease burden. Conclusion In some less developed regions, the disease burden of TBL has shown an upward trend. The heterogeneous long‐term trends observed across different sexes and age groups highlight the need for greater attention to issues such as excessive smoking and environmental exposure among middle‐aged and elderly populations, particularly women.