Epidemiology and burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Asia, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021
Abstract
Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout, are the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet comprehensive evidence on their burdens in Asian countries remains limited. Objectives To describe the epidemiological characteristics and burden of MSDs in Asia from 1990 to 2021, stratified by sex, age, subcategories, country, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Design A population-based descriptive study using secondary data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021). Methods Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), prevalence rates (ASPRs), and years lived with disability rates (ASYRs) were examined, and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to characterize temporal trends. Decomposition analysis quantified the contributions of population aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes to YLDs. Disease-specific attributable risk factors were also evaluated. Results From 1990 to 2021, the ASPR and ASYR of MSDs increased significantly in Asia, with LBP and OA being the primary contributors to this burden. Women exhibited a higher burden of overall MSDs than men, with peak impacts concentrated in the 40-80 age range. Furthermore, ASYRs exhibited a significant decreasing trend in Georgia (EAPC = −0.05), no significant change in Israel, and increasing trends in the other countries, with the largest increase observed in Pakistan (EAPC = 0.51). The increase in MSD burden in Asia was primarily driven by population growth in low and low-middle SDI areas, and by population aging in high-middle and high SDI areas. The proportion of LBP YLDs attributable to high BMI and smoking, as well as the proportion of OA and gout YLDs attributable to high BMI were positively correlated with SDI levels (all p < 0.05). Conclusion This study revealed the substantial burden of MSDs in Asia, providing critical information for further research and essential insights for guiding health management agencies.
Related
- Burden of Five Musculoskeletal Disorders in ASEAN Countries, 1990–2023: A Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 Analysis
- Global Trends and Regional Patterns in the Epidemiology of Substance Use Disorders in 1990–2023: A Secondary Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2023 Study
- Prevalence and Burden of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Nigeria: Results From the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study.
- Ergonomic Interventions and Technology in Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Sonographers (2000-2025): A Systematic Mapping Review
- Polydeoxyribonucleotide and polynucleotide effects in musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
BibTeX
@article{qu2026epidemiology,
title = {{Epidemiology and burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Asia, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021}},
author = {Yanzhang Qu and Leya Feng and Jianwei Lu and Jing Wang},
journal = {Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1177/1759720x261497153},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1759720x261497153},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidemiology and burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Asia, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021
AU - Yanzhang Qu
AU - Leya Feng
AU - Jianwei Lu
AU - Jing Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease
DO - 10.1177/1759720x261497153
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/1759720x261497153
AB - Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout, are the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet comprehensive evidence on their burdens in Asian countries remains limited. Objectives To describe the epidemiological characteristics and burden of MSDs in Asia from 1990 to 2021, stratified by sex, age, subcategories, country, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Design A population-based descriptive study using secondary data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021). Methods Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), prevalence rates (ASPRs), and years lived with disability rates (ASYRs) were examined, and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to characterize temporal trends. Decomposition analysis quantified the contributions of population aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes to YLDs. Disease-specific attributable risk factors were also evaluated. Results From 1990 to 2021, the ASPR and ASYR of MSDs increased significantly in Asia, with LBP and OA being the primary contributors to this burden. Women exhibited a higher burden of overall MSDs than men, with peak impacts concentrated in the 40-80 age range. Furthermore, ASYRs exhibited a significant decreasing trend in Georgia (EAPC = −0.05), no significant change in Israel, and increasing trends in the other countries, with the largest increase observed in Pakistan (EAPC = 0.51). The increase in MSD burden in Asia was primarily driven by population growth in low and low-middle SDI areas, and by population aging in high-middle and high SDI areas. The proportion of LBP YLDs attributable to high BMI and smoking, as well as the proportion of OA and gout YLDs attributable to high BMI were positively correlated with SDI levels (all p < 0.05). Conclusion This study revealed the substantial burden of MSDs in Asia, providing critical information for further research and essential insights for guiding health management agencies.
SN - 1759-7218
SN - 1759-720X
ER -