Burden of gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older and possible risk factors from 1990 to 2021: a population-based study.

This study analyses the incidence and death trends of gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older, and assesses the burden attributable to key risk factors, to inform targeted public health strategies. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study covers 371 conditions and 88 risk factors across 204 nations and territories. We evaluated gastric cancer burden in individuals aged 70 and older using incidence and death rates and their estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), stratified by sex, age, region, nation, socio-demographic index (SDI) levels, and risk factors. Correlations with the SDI were assessed using Pearson's correlation tests. Globally, the incident cases of gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older increased by 25.42% from 1990 to 2021. However, the incidence rate decreased with an overall EAPC of - 1.23. Similarly, the death cases increased by 11.73% from 1990 to 2021, but the death rate decreased with an EAPC of - 1.64. The highest incidence and death rates were observed in the 90 and older age groups, while the highest absolute numbers were in the 70-79 age group. Compared with females, males presented greater numbers and rates of incidence and death. The burden of gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older in 2021 and its trend changes from 1990 to 2021 vary greatly by region or nation. The correlation between gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older and the SDI was weakly positive, with high-middle SDI regions or nations having the highest incidence and death rates in 2021.The risk factors identified included diet high in sodium and smoking, which contributed significantly to the disease burden, accounting for 7.9% and 11.7% of disability-adjusted life years in 2021, respectively. Despite declines in the incidence and death rates of gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older from 1990 to 2021, the incident cases and death cases have increased. These results emphasize the need for continued efforts in public health strategies, particularly in males, high-middle SDI regions, and key risk factors, to address the challenges posed by gastric cancer in individuals aged 70 and older.