Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990–2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with disability and premature death. Up-to-date estimates of the burden of rheumatoid arthritis are required for health-care planning, resource allocation, and prevention. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we provide updated estimates of the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its associated deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, year, and location, with forecasted prevalence to 2050. Methods Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was estimated in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020 using Bayesian meta-regression models and data from population-based studies and medical claims data (98 prevalence and 25 incidence studies). Mortality was estimated from vital registration data with the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost (YLL) were calculated with use of standard GBD lifetables, and years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated from prevalence, a meta-analysed distribution of rheumatoid arthritis severity, and disability weights. DALYs were calculated by summing YLLs and YLDs. Smoking was the only risk factor analysed. Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was forecast to 2050 by logistic regression with Socio-Demographic Index as a predictor, then multiplying by projected population estimates. Findings In 2020, an estimated 17·6 million (95% uncertainty interval 15·8–20·3) people had rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. The age-standardised global prevalence rate was 208·8 cases (186·8–241·1) per 100 000 population, representing a 14·1% (12·7–15·4) increase since 1990. Prevalence was higher in females (age-standardised female-to-male prevalence ratio 2·45 [2·40–2·47]). The age-standardised death rate was 0·47 (0·41–0·54) per 100 000 population (38 300 global deaths [33 500–44 000]), a 23·8% (17·5–29·3) decrease from 1990 to 2020. The 2020 DALY count was 3 060 000 (2 320 000–3 860 000), with an age-standardised DALY rate of 36·4 (27·6–45·9) per 100 000 population. YLDs accounted for 76·4% (68·3–81·0) of DALYs. Smoking risk attribution for rheumatoid arthritis DALYs was 7·1% (3·6–10·3). We forecast that 31·7 million (25·8–39·0) individuals will be living with rheumatoid arthritis worldwide by 2050. Interpretation Rheumatoid arthritis mortality has decreased globally over the past three decades. Global age-standardised prevalence rate and YLDs have increased over the same period, and the number of cases is projected to continue to increase to the year 2050. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis globally is required to reduce the future burden of the disease. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, and Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health

Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Anaemia is a major health problem worldwide. Global estimates of anaemia burden are crucial for developing appropriate interventions to meet current international targets for disease mitigation. We describe the prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends of anaemia and its underlying causes in 204 countries and territories. Methods We estimated population-level distributions of haemoglobin concentration by age and sex for each location from 1990 to 2021. We then calculated anaemia burden by severity and associated years lived with disability (YLDs). With data on prevalence of the causes of anaemia and associated cause-specific shifts in haemoglobin concentrations, we modelled the proportion of anaemia attributed to 37 underlying causes for all locations, years, and demographics in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Findings In 2021, the global prevalence of anaemia across all ages was 24·3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 23·9–24·7), corresponding to 1·92 billion (1·89–1·95) prevalent cases, compared with a prevalence of 28·2% (27·8–28·5) and 1·50 billion (1·48–1·52) prevalent cases in 1990. Large variations were observed in anaemia burden by age, sex, and geography, with children younger than 5 years, women, and countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia being particularly affected. Anaemia caused 52·0 million (35·1–75·1) YLDs in 2021, and the YLD rate due to anaemia declined with increasing Socio-demographic Index. The most common causes of anaemia YLDs in 2021 were dietary iron deficiency (cause-specific anaemia YLD rate per 100 000 population: 422·4 [95% UI 286·1–612·9]), haemoglobinopathies and haemolytic anaemias (89·0 [58·2–123·7]), and other neglected tropical diseases (36·3 [24·4–52·8]), collectively accounting for 84·7% (84·1–85·2) of anaemia YLDs. Interpretation Anaemia remains a substantial global health challenge, with persistent disparities according to age, sex, and geography. Estimates of cause-specific anaemia burden can be used to design locally relevant health interventions aimed at improving anaemia management and prevention. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Subclavian steal syndrome as the presenting feature of hypervascular thyroid nodule

Subclavian steal syndrom (SSS) is a clinical entity characterized by brachial and basilar insufficiency as a result of critical proximal subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion. We report a patient of giant hypervascular thyroid nodule presenting with features of SSS. The left hand ischemia and symptoms of vertebro-basilar artery in our patient were probably related to stealing of blood by the hypervascular thyroid nodule from the subclavian artery. The patient was relieved of the symptoms upon percutaneous subclavian stent placemen

Correction: Responses of canopy growth and yield of potato cultivars to weather dynamics in a complex topography: Belg farming seasons in the gamo highlands, Ethiopia

In Minda et al. [1], an error was introduced. We propose the following amendment: Figure 9, in Section 3.2.4 (Days to Maturity and Yield), should be replaced by the following updated figure. (Figure Presented) The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused to the readers by these changes. The manuscript will be updated and the original will remain online on the article webpage, with a reference to this correction.</p

Responses of Canopy Growth and Yield of Potato Cultivars to Weather Dynamics in a Complex Topography: <i>Belg</i> Farming Seasons in the Gamo Highlands, Ethiopia

Potato is an increasingly important crop in Ethiopia. The Gamo Highlands are one of the large potential potato producing regions in Ethiopia. The growing conditions are different from those in the temperate regions, where most of the agronomical expertise on potato has been developed. The influence of environmental conditions on the crop in the Gamo Highlands is poorly understood. We conducted field trials with eight potato cultivars in six locations and during two seasons. The canopy cover (CC) and plant height (PH) were measured with high temporal resolution and tuber yields were assessed as well. The experiments were conducted near our newly installed weather stations at different elevations. CC and PH were strongly correlated with temperature sum (Tsum). Tuber yields differed among elevations and cultivars. Nevertheless, these differences were poorly explained by environmental variables. We also found that no single cultivar performed best at all elevations. The number of branches was a predictor of yield, suggesting that radiation interception was limiting tuber growth. Tuber yield was optimal when the number of days to crop maturity was around 100&#8211;110 days. We conclude that Tsum is a predictor of crop growth, but environmental variables poorly explain yield variations, which calls for further investigation

Responses of Canopy Growth and Yield of Potato Cultivars to Weather Dynamics in a Complex Topography: Belg Farming Seasons in the Gamo Highlands, Ethiopia

Potato is an increasingly important crop in Ethiopia. The Gamo Highlands are one of the large potential potato producing regions in Ethiopia. The growing conditions are different from those in the temperate regions, where most of the agronomical expertise on potato has been developed. The influence of environmental conditions on the crop in the Gamo Highlands is poorly understood. We conducted field trials with eight potato cultivars in six locations and during two seasons. The canopy cover (CC) and plant height (PH) were measured with high temporal resolution and tuber yields were assessed as well. The experiments were conducted near our newly installed weather stations at different elevations. CC and PH were strongly correlated with temperature sum (Tsum). Tuber yields differed among elevations and cultivars. Nevertheless, these differences were poorly explained by environmental variables. We also found that no single cultivar performed best at all elevations. The number of branches was a predictor of yield, suggesting that radiation interception was limiting tuber growth. Tuber yield was optimal when the number of days to crop maturity was around 100–110 days. We conclude that Tsum is a predictor of crop growth, but environmental variables poorly explain yield variations, which calls for further investigatio