Burden and Risk Factors of Gout, Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis - China, 1990-2023
Kun Xu1, Feng Pan1, Kunzhi Zhu1
1Joint Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China.
Insights
Musculoskeletal disease burdens from gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are rising, while low back pain is declining. These trends, particularly impacting adults aged 40-80, require targeted public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like gout, low back pain (LBP), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) present a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by aging populations.
- China faces unique demographic shifts and occupational changes, necessitating updated data for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trends and projections of MSD burdens in China from 1990 to 2043 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data.
- To identify age- and gender-specific variations in MSD prevalence and impact.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data spanning from 1990 to 2023.
- Employed predictive modeling to forecast disease trajectories up to 2043.
- Analyzed demographic variations, focusing on age and gender differences.
Main Results:
- The disease burdens of gout, OA, and RA showed continuous increases from 1990-2023, while LBP burden decreased.
- Projected trends indicate a persistent rise in gout, OA, and RA burdens and a decline in LBP through 2043.
- Significant age- and gender-specific disparities were observed, with the 40-80 age group most affected.
Conclusions:
- The increasing burden of gout, OA, and RA, especially in the 40-80 age group, demands immediate public health action aligned with "Healthy China 2030" goals.
- Interventions should focus on modifiable risk factors (e.g., BMI, ergonomics), targeted screening for high-risk groups (males for gout; females for OA/RA), and improved healthcare systems.
- Proactive management and prevention strategies are crucial to mitigate long-term disability from these prevalent MSDs.
What Is Already Known On This Topic?:
Musculoskeletal disorders, including gout, low back pain (LBP), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), impose a substantial global health burden that intensifies with population aging. China confronts distinctive challenges stemming from rapid demographic aging and evolving occupational patterns, yet comprehensive analysis using the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data to inform long-term prevention strategies remains absent.
What Is Added By This Report?:
This study demonstrates that from 1990 to 2023, the disease burdens of gout, OA, and RA increased continuously, whereas the burden of LBP declined. Predictive modeling indicates these divergent trajectories - growth for gout, OA, and RA versus reduction for LBP - will persist through 2043. Additionally, substantial gender- and age-specific variations in disease burden were identified, with peak impacts concentrated in the 40-80 age range.
What Are The Implications For Public Health Practice?:
The rising burden of these musculoskeletal diseases, concentrated in the 40-80 age group, necessitates urgent interventions aligned with "Healthy China 2030" objectives. Key priorities must include managing modifiable risk factors (body mass index, occupational ergonomics), implementing targeted screening programs for high-risk populations (males for gout, females for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), and optimizing hierarchical diagnosis and rehabilitation systems to mitigate long-term disability.
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