A burden of nerve injury from a global perspective, 1990–2021: an analysis of incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability

Objective To provide a solid foundation for the prevention, treatment, and reduction of the incidence of nerve injury, we explain and update the changes in the epidemiology of nerve injury from 1990 to 2021. Methods We did our analysis employing the 2021 Global Burden of Disease, Injury and Risk Factor Study to calculate the incidence, prevalence and YLDs of nerve injury between 1990 and 2021 at the global, regional and national levels. The analysis was done according to gender, age group and region in layers. Results In 2021, globally, there were 4.13 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 3.11–5.56] instances of nerve injury, featuring an age-standardized incidence and prevalence of 53 cases per 100,000 people, respectively (95% UI: 40–72) and 51 cases per 100,000 people (95% UI: 47–57). The global age-standardized incidence had an Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) of −1.03% (95% UI: −1.38 − 0.68, p < 0.01), and the prevalence had an AAPC of −0.99% (95% UI, −1.06 − 0.93, p < 0.01), both showing a slightly decreasing trend. In 2021, nerve injury resulted in 440,000 (95% UI, 0.3–0.6) YLDs, with an age-standardized rate of 5.26 cases per 100,000 people (95% UI, 3.63–7.2). In 2021, the countries with relatively higher rates are predominantly located in the Caribbean and Oceania. The main causes of nerve injury are falls and exposure to mechanical forces. The global age-standardized incidence in 2021 is higher in men than in women. In most regions, changes in aging, epidemiological situations, and population characteristics are the main factors contributing to the variations in the incidence rate of nerve injury. Conclusion This study focused on the occurrence of nerve injury from 1990 to 2021, and discovered that the global incidence rate went down a little, different SDI areas and regions had big differences, and the prevalence rate increased in some regions. It provides strong support for further exploring the causes of nerve injury and formulating future policies and protection measures.