Global burden of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease in postmenopausal women, 1990–2035
In 2021, an estimated 66,392,811 postmenopausal women worldwide had lower extremity peripheral arterial disease, with 33,854 deaths and 777,299 disability-adjusted life years; projections suggest the burden keeps rising to 2035. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
In 2021, there were 66,392,811 prevalent cases, 33,854 deaths and 777,299 DALYs of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease among postmenopausal women globally. [1]
Compared with 1990, prevalent cases rose by 99.84%, deaths by 72.93% and DALYs by 73.06%, attributed to population growth and aging. [1]
High fasting plasma glucose was the leading attributable risk factor, and projections indicate a continued increase in the global burden by 2035. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Modelled global burden analysis with projections (abstract)
- Population / context
- Postmenopausal women worldwide
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- May 5, 2026
Global estimates for postmenopausal women in 2021
The analysis used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, broken down by age, sex and region. For 2021 it reports 66,392,811 prevalent cases of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease among postmenopausal women worldwide, 33,854 deaths and 777,299 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs, years lost to ill health or early death). These are modelled estimates for a defined population, not counts from a single clinical study.
Supporting source [1]
Rise since 1990 and high fasting plasma glucose
Compared with 1990, the figures rose by 99.84% (prevalent cases), 72.93% (deaths) and 73.06% (DALYs). The authors attribute this to population growth and aging, based on a decomposition analysis that separates these contributions from epidemiological change. In a comparative risk assessment, high fasting plasma glucose was the leading attributable risk factor. These are associations between a risk factor and disease burden, not proof that it causes the disease.
Supporting source [1]
Projections to 2035 and abstract-only scope
Using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model, the authors project a continued increase in the global burden by 2035 and call for targeted strategies for healthier aging in this group. Because only the abstract was reviewed, details such as model assumptions, regional breakdowns and uncertainty ranges could not be checked, and the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Figures are modelled Global Burden of Disease estimates, and model assumptions, regional detail and uncertainty ranges could not be checked. Risk-factor findings are associations, not causes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Yuan J, Guo B, Li Z, Yi Q, Tu L, Tang B, Li F. · europepmc.org · May 5, 2026