The Comorbidity Burdens of Osteoarthritis and 174 Diseases, 1990–2021: A Modeling Study Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

AIM: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, this study aims to estimate the comorbidity burdens of osteoarthritis (OA) at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: The age-standardized prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) rate for OA and 174 other Level-3 diseases from 204 countries and territories were extracted. A modified formula was employed to determine the comorbidity burdens for the co-occurrence of OA and one of the other 174 diseases. Cluster analysis was performed to identify different patterns in the comorbidity burden. RESULTS: Globally, the top three comorbidity burdens for OA in 2021 were from oral disorders, headache disorders, and age-related and other hearing loss (age-standardized comorbidity YLD rates 130.80/100 000, 124.09/100 000, and 79.54/100 000, respectively). From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized comorbidity YLD rates for diabetes mellitus exhibited the greatest increases, with percentage changes of 108.41%. In high socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, the leading comorbidity burdens for OA were from headache disorders, oral disorders, and low back pain, whereas in low SDI regions, they were oral disorders, dietary iron deficiency, and headache disorders. Six clusters were identified, including oral disorders and headache disorders in the highest comorbidity burden with a mild changing cluster, and diabetes mellitus in the high comorbidity burden with a rapid growth cluster. CONCLUSIONS: The comorbidity burdens of OA have increased and show different patterns. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the comorbidity burdens in conjunction with tackling the OA burden.