Canadian Burden of Skin Disease From 1990 to 2017: Results From the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

Abstract

Skin diseases can have high morbidity that can be costly to society and individuals. To date, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the burden of skin disease in Canada.

Objectives

To evaluate the burden of 18 skin and subcutaneous diseases from 1990 to 2017 in Canada using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.

Methods

The 2017 GBD study measures health loss from 359 diseases and injuries in 195 countries; we evaluated trends in population health in Canada from 1990 to 2017 using incidence, prevalence, mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Data are presented as rates (per 100 000), counts, or percent change with the uncertainty interval in brackets.

Results

From 1990 to 2017 for all skin diseases, DALY rates increased by 8% to 971 per 100 000 (674-1319), YLD rates increased by 8% to 897 per 100 000 (616-1235), YLL rates increased by 4% to 74 per 100 000 (53-89), and death rates increased by 18% to 5 per 100 000 (3-6). DALY rates for melanoma increased by 2% to 54 per 100 000 (39-68), for keratinocyte carcinoma by 14% to 17 per 100 000 (16-19), and for skin and subcutaneous disease by 8% to 900 per 100 000 (619-1233). The observed over expected ratios were higher for skin and subcutaneous disease (1.37) and keratinocyte carcinoma (1.17) and were lower for melanoma (0.73).

Conclusions

The burden of skin disease has increased in Canada since 1990. These results can be used to guide health policy regarding skin disease in Canada.