Global burden of fungal skin diseases: An update from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019.

Background: Fungal skin diseases are the most common and widespread fungal infections, exerting a significant impact on patients' socio-psychological health and the quality of life.

Objectives: To assess and compare the global burden of fungal skin diseases in 2019 and over the past 30 years.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) were used to assess the burden of fungal skin diseases. A total of 204 countries and territories were hierarchically organised into 21 regions and seven super-regions. Data were presented as absolute numbers and rates per 100,000 population, stratified by sex, age, year and location.

Results: In 2019, the global incidence rate and YLD rate of fungal skin diseases were 21,277 (95% UI 19 298-23,399) and 42 (95% UI 17-88) per 100,000 population, respectively. Sub-Saharan Africa bore the heaviest disease burden, especially children aged 5-9 years had a significantly higher incidence rate, YLD rate and YLDs to incidence ratio compared to other regions. Moreover, more than half of the incident cases among the elderly came from high-income regions and Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Over the past 30 years, the number of incident cases and YLDs of fungal skin diseases has been continuously increasing worldwide, but the incidence rates and YLD rates have not shown significant changes.

Conclusions: The global burden of fungal skin diseases has been continuously rising. Children in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing higher disease incidence and severity compared to other regions.