Global, regional, and national burden of bipolar disorder, 1990-2021: Analysis of data from the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition characterised by recurrent episodes of mania and depression.

Methods: Our study analyzed the data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, covering the years 1990 to 2021. This dataset includes key metrics such as incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and age-standardized rates. By utilizing the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles and the XGBoost model, we sought to assess and predict the long-term impact of regional economic disparities and sociodemographic factors on the burden of bipolar disorder.

Results: Our study indicates that the global incidence of bipolar disorder has been steadily increasing, rising significantly from 30,239,332 cases in 1990 to 53,917,371 cases in 2021. This increase predominantly affects women and adolescent populations. Moreover, a significant positive correlation exists between the burden of bipolar disorder and the SDI. Developed countries generally show higher age-standardized incidence rates, age-standardized mortality rates, and age-standardized DALY rates than developing countries. However, the rise in disease burden is more pronounced in economically underdeveloped regions than in developed areas.

Conclusion: From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of bipolar disorder has shown a persistent upward trend, with marked disparities observed across regions with varying SDI levels. High-SDI regions consistently demonstrate elevated incidence and prevalence rates, whereas low-SDI regions are grappling with a progressively significant disease burden. These findings highlight the need for increased investment in the global mental healthcare system. Particular priority should be given to strengthening support for healthcare systems in low-income and resource-poor areas.