GLOBAL BURDEN AND TEMPORAL TRENDS OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: FINDINGS FROM THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY
Author(s)
Luca Fanni Kajos, MSc, PhD1, Bálint Molics, MSc, PhD2, Dalma Pónusz-Kovács, MSc3, Bettina Kovács, BSc, MSc3, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD1.
1Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
1Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Knee osteoarthritis (knee OA) is the most common form of osteoarthritis and a major source of disability worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the global burden of knee OA and examine epidemiological trends between 1990 and 2023 using Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) data.
METHODS: Data were obtained from GBD 2023 provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Global prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) attributable to knee OA were analysed. Crude and age-standardized rates were assessed and compared between 1990 and 2023.
RESULTS: In 2023, knee OA affected 5.01% of the global population, corresponding to 4,853.56 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 2,810.44 cases per 100,000 in 1990. The age-standardized prevalence increased from 4.11% to 4.42% during the study period. Global incidence reached 372.15 new cases per 100,000 population in 2023. Knee OA was responsible for 171.62 DALYs and YLDs per 100,000 population, representing the largest share of the osteoarthritis-related disability burden. Women had a substantially higher prevalence than men (5,916.78 vs. 3,733.41 cases per 100,000 population). Disease burden increased markedly with advancing age.
CONCLUSIONS: The burden of knee OA has risen substantially since 1990 and remains the leading contributor to osteoarthritis-related disability worldwide. The increasing prevalence among ageing populations highlights the need for effective prevention strategies, timely management, and healthcare policies that address the growing clinical and economic consequences of knee OA.
METHODS: Data were obtained from GBD 2023 provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Global prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) attributable to knee OA were analysed. Crude and age-standardized rates were assessed and compared between 1990 and 2023.
RESULTS: In 2023, knee OA affected 5.01% of the global population, corresponding to 4,853.56 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 2,810.44 cases per 100,000 in 1990. The age-standardized prevalence increased from 4.11% to 4.42% during the study period. Global incidence reached 372.15 new cases per 100,000 population in 2023. Knee OA was responsible for 171.62 DALYs and YLDs per 100,000 population, representing the largest share of the osteoarthritis-related disability burden. Women had a substantially higher prevalence than men (5,916.78 vs. 3,733.41 cases per 100,000 population). Disease burden increased markedly with advancing age.
CONCLUSIONS: The burden of knee OA has risen substantially since 1990 and remains the leading contributor to osteoarthritis-related disability worldwide. The increasing prevalence among ageing populations highlights the need for effective prevention strategies, timely management, and healthcare policies that address the growing clinical and economic consequences of knee OA.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH233
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal)