Background: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures cause pain and disability, which result in heavy socioeconomic burden. However, the incidence and cost of vertebral fractures in China are unknown. We aimed to assess the incidence and cost of clinically recognized vertebral fractures among people aged 50 years and older in China from 2013 to 2017. Materials and Methods: This population-based cohort study was conducted by using Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) data in China from 2013 to 2017, which covered more than 95% of the Chinese population in urban areas. Vertebral fractures were identified by the primary diagnosis (i.e., International Classification of Diseases code or text of diagnosis) in UEBMI and URBMI. The incidence and medical cost of these clinically recognized vertebral fractures in urban China were calculated. Results: A total of 271,981 vertebral fractures (186,428, 68.5% females and 85,553, 31.5% males) were identified, with a mean age of 70.26 years. The incidence of vertebral fractures among patients aged 50 years and over in China increased approximately 1.79-fold during the five years, from 85.21 per 100,000 person-years in 2013 to 152.13 per 100,000 person-years in 2017. Medical costs for vertebral fracture increased from US$92.74 million in 2013 to US$505.3 million in 2017. Annual costs per vertebral fracture case increased from US$3.54 thousand in 2013 to US$5.35 thousand in 2017. Conclusion: The dramatic increase in the incidence and cost of clinically recognized vertebral fracture among patients aged 50 and over in urban China implies that more attention should be given to the management of osteoporosis to prevent osteoporotic fractures.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) and interstitial nephritis (IN) are significant global health concerns, leaving a heavy burden to the healthcare system. UTI is one of the most common infections worldwide and IN is characterized by acute and chronic renal damage. This study aims to quantify the lifetime risk of developing and dying from UTI and IN across 204 countries from 1990 to 2021, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021. We employed advanced statistical models, including the adjusted for multiple primaries method, Joinpoint trend analysis, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models, to assess temporal trends and forecast future risks. Results revealed a global lifetime risk of developing UTI and IN at 93.70% in 2021, with higher risks in females (96.05%) compared to males (77.27%). The global lifetime risk of dying from UTI and IN at 0.50%. High Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions exhibited higher developing risks, while low-SDI regions showed significant upward trends. Gender disparities were evident, with females consistently experiencing higher risks. The ARIMA model projected a persistent upward trend in UTI and IN risks over the next 3 decades, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions. These findings highlight the importance of addressing UTI and IN through improved healthcare infrastructure, early screening, and preventive measures, particularly in high-risk populations and regions.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent condition among older men that significantly reduces quality of life. Despite its global impact, comprehensive estimates of lifetime risk remain limited. This study aims to quantify the lifetime risk of BPH at both global and regional levels using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. Materials and methods: We estimated the lifetime risk of developing BPH in men aged over 40 using the “adjusted for multiple primaries (AMP)” method, derived from age-specific incidence rates provided by GBD. The analysis included data from 204 countries and regions covering the period from 1990 to 2021, stratified by age, region, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Results: In 2021, the global lifetime risk of BPH from age 40 to death was estimated at 27.29% (95% CI 27.26–27.31), with significant regional and socioeconomic inequalities. Eastern Europe exhibited the highest risk (37.57%), while Central Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest (13.66%). When stratified by SDI, lifetime risk increased from 19.46% in low SDI regions to 31.51% in high-middle SDI regions but declined to 24.71% in high SDI settings. Across all regions, most cases were observed in individuals aged 50–70. Furthermore, between 1990 and 2021, the global lifetime risk of BPH showed a gradual increase. Projections indicate that this risk will remain stable over the next 30 years, with pronounced regional disparities expected to persist. Conclusions: This study offers a comprehensive assessment of the global lifetime risk of BPH, revealing significant regional variations and age-related trends. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention and management strategies, particularly for high-risk regions and men aged 50–70, to reduce the global burden of BPH.