Global and Asian regional burden of musculoskeletal disorders from 1990 to 2023

Using the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data, this study evaluates the musculoskeletal (MSK) burden across 47 Asian countries by integrating epidemiological metrics, modeled healthcare expenditure, and risk factor attribution. In 2023, MSK disorders accounted for 372 million incident cases globally. Asia served as the primary driver, reaching 203 million incident cases, 999 million prevalent cases, and 91.6 million years lived with disability (YLDs). Low back pain dominated incidence (142 million), whereas osteoarthritis led prevalence (369 million). Modeled expenditure projections indicate that Asia's direct MSK healthcare costs reached approximately $419.6 billion, accounting for 55.9% of the global modeled total ($751.2 billion). High body mass index (BMI) emerged as the fastest-growing modifiable risk factor, with attributable YLDs expanding most markedly in developing economies like India (301%). These findings underscore the need for targeted weight management and early-stage geriatric resource allocations to mitigate Asia's escalating MSK burden.