Disease burden and economic impact of osteoarthritis in working-age individuals (aged 30–64 years): Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) in working-age individuals (aged 30-64 years) adversely affects health and reduces productivity. In this study, the disease burden and economic impact of OA on this demographic are examined, and the trends from 1990 to 2021 are analyzed. METHODS: Using data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study, incident cases, prevalent cases, years lived with disability (YLDs), and the corresponding age-standardized rates of OA in the working-age population from 1990 to 2021 were examined. To evaluate the changes in trends, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of these age-standardized rates was calculated. Subgroup analyses based on sex, age, sociodemographic index (SDI) level, and joint site were conducted. The economic burden was assessed by integrating data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). RESULTS: By 2021, 329 million working-age individuals had OA, a 123% increase over 1990. Age-standardized rates of incidence, prevalence, and YLDs increased globally by 116%, 123%, and 125%, respectively, with the most rapid growth occurring in low-middle-SDI regions. The total economic burden in 2021 was $350 billion, with $165 billion in direct medical costs and $185 billion in productivity losses, representing 0.32% of the global GDP. High-SDI regions bore a greater economic burden, representing approximately 50% of the total. CONCLUSION: The increasing prevalence of OA and its significant economic impact on the working-age population highlight the need for targeted policies and preventive strategies. The growing burden, especially in low-middle-SDI countries, underscores the importance of sustainable health development.