This study aimed to assess the global burden of oesophageal cancer (EC) attributable to alcohol consumption across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Alcohol use is a major modifiable risk factor for EC, with unique biological and epidemiological effects compared with other contributors such as smoking, necessitating a focused analysis of its global impact.
We analysed trends in EC attributable to alcohol consumption from 1990 to 2019 using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study.
Data were obtained from the GBD Results Tool, covering 204 countries and territories across 21 GBD regions.
Patients with EC attributable to alcohol consumption.
The number and age-standardised rates of deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to EC attributable to alcohol consumption are presented by region for 1990 and 2019, along with the number of deaths, age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardised DALY rates (ASDR) in 204 countries and territories in 2019. Geographical variations were visualised using maps, and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and EC mortality and DALY rates.
In 2019, there were 113 600.3 deaths (95% uncertainty intervals (UIs): 84 062.5–144 685.6), contributing to 2818.2×103 DALYs (95% UI: 2109.6–3573.6). From 1990 to 2019, total deaths and DALYs associated with EC increased, while age-standardised rates decreased. ASMR and ASDR decreased in high SDI populations but plateaued in low-middle or low SDI populations for both genders. China recorded the highest death toll (61 887.7, 95% UI: 42 882.6–84 201.3), while Uganda had the highest ASMR (4.48, 95% UI: 3.06–6.26) and ASDR (119.21, 95% UI: 80.72–167.22). Males accounted predominantly for EC attributed to alcohol use.
Globally, there was a decline in ASMR and ASDR but an increase in overall deaths and DALYs related to EC from 1990 to 2019. The burden of EC varied across regions and countries, with Uganda exhibiting the highest ASMR, and China having the highest fatalities. The association between alcohol and EC was more pronounced in males than females.