Epidemiological Burden of Osteoarthritis in Eastern, Central, and Western Europe Between 1990 and 2021
Author(s)
Luca Fanni Kajos, PhD1, Bálint Molics, PhD2, Dalma Pónusz-Kovács, MSc1, Bettina Kovács, MSc1, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD1.
1Institute for Health Insurance, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
1Institute for Health Insurance, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis is a leading musculoskeletal disorder causing pain and disability globally. Monitoring its long-term trends is key for effective healthcare planning. This study aims to examine and compare the burden of osteoarthritis in Eastern, Central, and Western Europe between 1990 and 2021, using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study.
METHODS: The epidemiological disease burden of osteoarthritis was analysed using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). We compared the prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) associated with osteoarthritis across Eastern (EE), Central (CE), and Western Europe (WE) from 1990 to 2021.
RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2021, the prevalence of osteoarthritis increased from 7,498.40 to 12,596.71 per 100,000 in CE (a 68.0% increase), from 9,292.30 to 13,110.86 in EE (41.10%), and from 9,721.22 to 13,618.85 in WE (40.10%). Age-standardized prevalence increased from 6,276.97 to 6,948.51 per 100,000 in CE, from 7,541.08 to 7,906.11 in EE, and from 6,736.67 to 7,113.44 in WE, corresponding to increases of 10.70%, 4.84%, and 5.60%, respectively. Incidence rose from 559.01 to 833.0 per 100,000 in CE (49.01%), from 660.18 to 886.56 in EE (34.29%), and from 684.39 to 895.97 in WE (30.92%). DALYs increased from 261.41 to 446.32 per 100,000 in CE (70.74%), from 327.77 to 467.01 in EE (42.48%), and from 345.29 to 487.28 in WE (41.12%). YLDs rose from 2.21% to 3.18% in CE (43.90%), from 2.63% to 3.27% in EE (24.33%), and from 2.69% to 3.36% in WE (24.91%).
CONCLUSIONS: Between 1990 and 2021, the epidemiological burden of osteoarthritis significantly increased in all European regions, especially in Central Europe. Regional differences highlight the need for targeted prevention, early diagnosis, and strategic resource planning to address the growing impact of osteoarthritis in Europe.
METHODS: The epidemiological disease burden of osteoarthritis was analysed using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). We compared the prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) associated with osteoarthritis across Eastern (EE), Central (CE), and Western Europe (WE) from 1990 to 2021.
RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2021, the prevalence of osteoarthritis increased from 7,498.40 to 12,596.71 per 100,000 in CE (a 68.0% increase), from 9,292.30 to 13,110.86 in EE (41.10%), and from 9,721.22 to 13,618.85 in WE (40.10%). Age-standardized prevalence increased from 6,276.97 to 6,948.51 per 100,000 in CE, from 7,541.08 to 7,906.11 in EE, and from 6,736.67 to 7,113.44 in WE, corresponding to increases of 10.70%, 4.84%, and 5.60%, respectively. Incidence rose from 559.01 to 833.0 per 100,000 in CE (49.01%), from 660.18 to 886.56 in EE (34.29%), and from 684.39 to 895.97 in WE (30.92%). DALYs increased from 261.41 to 446.32 per 100,000 in CE (70.74%), from 327.77 to 467.01 in EE (42.48%), and from 345.29 to 487.28 in WE (41.12%). YLDs rose from 2.21% to 3.18% in CE (43.90%), from 2.63% to 3.27% in EE (24.33%), and from 2.69% to 3.36% in WE (24.91%).
CONCLUSIONS: Between 1990 and 2021, the epidemiological burden of osteoarthritis significantly increased in all European regions, especially in Central Europe. Regional differences highlight the need for targeted prevention, early diagnosis, and strategic resource planning to address the growing impact of osteoarthritis in Europe.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH74
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Disease Classification & Coding, Public Health
Disease
Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas