30-Year Analysis of Global Burden of Disease Study Presented

November 2, 2026—A 30-year analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study found that the estimated number of degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) cases more than doubled between 1990 and 2023, reaching 16.1 million worldwide, with 39,800 attributed deaths in 2023. The findings, presented at TCT 2026, also revealed disparities in disease burden and mortality by sex and socioeconomic status.

Using data from the GBD study, researchers evaluated the prevalence and mortality of DMVD across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Cases were identified through echocardiographic evidence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation or ICD codes in clinical records. Nondegenerative causes of mitral regurgitation were excluded.

According to the TCT press release, global DMVD prevalence increased by 126% over the study period, although the age-standardized prevalence rate remained relatively unchanged at 175.4 per 100,000 population. The number of deaths increased by 75%, although age-standardized mortality decreased from approximately 0.67 to 0.45 per 100,000.

Prevalence and mortality were higher in regions with a high sociodemographic index (SDI) compared with low-SDI regions, as well as among older adults. An estimated 11.7 million cases occurred among individuals aged > 70 years, with deaths peaking among those aged 85 to 89 years. Although DMVD was more prevalent among men, the absolute number of deaths was higher among women (24,400 vs 15,400).

The investigators also found that the global decline in age-standardized mortality was driven by high-SDI countries, whereas mortality increased in low-SDI countries.

“The global burden of DMVD is growing quickly,” stated Juan F. Granada, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), in the press release. “For the first time, we can quantify this burden and clearly see the significant health care disparities across regions, sex, and socioeconomic groups. These disparities highlight the urgent need for earlier detection and equitable access to timely treatment.”

TCT reported that the study was internally funded by CRF and the Gates Foundation.