Objective: This study presents the most recent data on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to anxiety disorders across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from 1990–2021, analysed by sex, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Methods: We reported the burden of anxiety disorders using data sourced from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. The estimates of prevalence, DALYs, and YLDs are provided as numbers and age-standardised rates, accompanied by their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results: In 2021, the age-standardised point prevalence of anxiety disorders in the region was 5.95 thousand, with an incidence rate of 883.4 per 100,000. The number of YLDs in 2021 reached 4.5 million. From 1990 to 2021, the burden of anxiety disorders increased significantly. Lebanon had the highest burden in 2021. Among both sexes, the 10–14 age group had the highest incidence rate, while the 15–19 age group had the highest prevalence and YLD rates. In 2021, most age groups in the MENA region had YLD rates that were higher than the global average. Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to prevent and manage anxiety disorders. Ensuring accessible and affordable treatment options for all affected individuals is crucial. Governments should prioritise supporting programmes to effectively address mental health issues, given the unique socioeconomic and geopolitical challenges in the MENA region. By including effective preventive methods alongside treatment in healthcare strategies, the burden of anxiety disorders can be significantly reduced.

Objectives: To comprehensively examine the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Iranians aged 70 and above, with a focus on gender, age, and provincial differences from 1990 to 2021. Design: Systematic analysis. Outcome measures: Data were derived from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021. Estimates were provided as numbers and age-standardized rates per 100000, accompanied by their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results: In 2021, COPD had an age-standardized prevalence of approximately 16 thousand per 100000 among Iranians aged 70 and older (95% UI: 13–19 thousand per 100000). This rate increased by 65.2% compared to 1990, which was statistically significant. COPD also accounted for 8,084 deaths in the elderly population of Iran in 2021. Furthermore, the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate was 3834.7 per 100000 individuals, reflecting a 6.4% increase from 1990 to 2021. Tehran and Ilam recorded the highest and lowest point prevalence per 100000, at 116000 and 3400, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, every province in Iran experienced a statistically significant increase in age-standardized prevalence rates. In 2021, although men experienced slightly higher deaths and DALYs and women had more prevalent cases, the overall prevalence, mortality, and DALYs related to COPD demonstrated no significant differences between the sexes. Additionally, in 2021, the age-standardized prevalence, mortality, and DALYs attributable to COPD increased with advancing age. Conclusions: The burden of COPD among the elderly in Iran has increased since 1990, paralleling the growth of the elderly population and an increase in COPD-related risk factors. Implementing preemptive measures, raising public awareness, and enacting risk management policies can effectively curb the ongoing rise of COPD in Iran.

Objectives: To report the burden of low back pain (LBP) among those aged 70 and above in Iran by age, sex, and province from 1990 to 2019. Design: Systematic analysis. Outcome Measures: Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. All estimates were reported as counts and age-standardized rates per 100000 individuals, with their corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results: In 2019, LBP had a point prevalence of 21714.8 and an incidence rate of 8097.7 per 100000 population among adults aged 70 and older above in Iran. In 2019, the number of years lived with disability (YLDs) and the YLD rate due to LBP were 78.2 thousand and 2252.3, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, the prevalence, incidence, and YLD rates did not change substantially over the measurement period. Mazandaran and East Azarbayejan had the highest and lowest YLD rates per 100000 with rates of 3229.8 and 1912.7, respectively, in adults aged 70 and older. In 2019, the prevalent cases, incident cases, and YLDs along with their corresponding rates due to LBP did not differ significantly among males and females in the geriatric population of Iran. Furthermore, in 2019, the 70–74-year-old group had the highest number of prevalent cases, incident cases, and YLDs for both sexes, and all decreased with increasing age. Conclusions: Although the rates of LBP have not changed substantially over the last three decades, the burden among the geriatric population of Iran remains high. Therefore, preventive and therapeutic measures are needed to help reduce the burden among the geriatric population in Iran.