Ratheesh, Rani

Introduction: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the 1st leading cause of deaths among all deaths associated with congenital birth defects in (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) OECD countries, constituting a significant health concern that imposes a substantial burden on healthcare systems and society. Methods: Using the Global Burden of Disease methodology, this study assesses the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with CHD in 38 OECD countries by sex, year, and location, covering the period from 1990 to 2019. The results are presented in both all age counts and age standardized rates (ASR) per 100,000 person-years. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the total number of prevalent cases of CHD increased from 1,469,128 (95%UI: 1,292,909-1,671,743) to 1,590,654 (1,387,114-1,815,338). In contrast, CHD-related deaths decreased from 37,291 (31,629-47,869) in 1990 to 13,886 (10,668-16,919) in 2019. The annual percentage of change (APC) in age-standardized mortality (ASMR) decreased by 60%, while the ASIR showed almost no change but decreased by 3%. Notably, the highest APC in ASIR was observed in Czechia (27%), Sweden (21%), Hungary (18%), and the United States (11%), while Turkey (28%) and Canada (21%) had the lowest APC increases. The highest APC increase in ASIR among females was observed in France (29%) Conclusions: Despite a decrease in the burden of CHD over the last three decades, it remains a significant concern in OECD countries. The impact of CHD is felt by individuals, families, healthcare systems, and the economy, emphasizing the ongoing need for comprehensive strategies to address this burden.