INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in South Asia. Hyperglycemia, a modifiable metabolic risk factor, can significantly contribute to this burden. Quantifying disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to hyperglycemia can guide targeted prevention strategies. METHODS: We analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data to estimate breast cancer DALYs attributable to hyperglycemia among women aged 55 or older in South Asia from 1990 to 2021. Temporal trends were assessed using the annual average percentage change (AAPC), with statistical significance determined by P values. RESULTS: In 1990, the highest DALYs related to breast cancer attributable to hyperglycemia were observed in Pakistan (18.67), followed by India (8.34) and Bhutan (5.51), with the lowest in Bangladesh (5.00). By 2021, DALYs had risen sharply, with Pakistan (44.63) remaining the highest, followed by India (17.07) and Bangladesh (10.27). Bhutan had the lowest rate (9.21). Pakistan also showed the fastest rise (AAPC 2.90; 95% CI, 2.86–2.93), followed by Bangladesh (2.41; 95% CI, 2.35–2.48) and India (2.34; 95% CI, 2.30–2.40), whereas Bhutan increased slowest (1.65; 95% CI, 1.62–1.69). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Breast cancer-related DALYs attributable to hyperglycemia have risen sharply across South Asia over the past three decades, with Pakistan facing the highest and fastest-growing burden. These findings highlight critical regional disparities and the urgent need for targeted preventive strategies and effective metabolic control to reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality.
Hassanien et al. (Thu,) studied this question.