Published in BMJ Global Health, the study shows alarming increases in the incidence and impact of osteoarthritis
The global prevalence of osteoarthritis, alongside the disability it causes, has surged by more than 130% in the past three decades among postmenopausal women, according to a recent study.
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is marked by the deterioration of joint cartilage, followed by bony remodelling, joint dysfunction, and chronic pain. The study highlights that in 2020, an estimated 595 million people worldwide were living with the condition, representing approximately 8% of the global population. Postmenopausal women are at a heightened risk for developing osteoarthritis, with the condition contributing significantly to disability among this group.
Published in BMJ Global Health, the study shows alarming increases in the incidence and impact of osteoarthritis. In 2021 alone, there were 14.26 million new cases of osteoarthritis, bringing the total number of existing cases to 278.57 million. This represents a staggering rise of 133% in new cases, 140% in existing cases, and a 142% increase in years of healthy life lost (DALYs) since 1990.
Researchers from China, including those from Hangzhou Medical College and Zhejiang University, attributed the rise to several factors, primarily the hormonal changes women undergo during menopause. The decline in estrogen levels, a key hormone in maintaining skeletal health, contributes to weakened bones and joint instability. Excess weight also plays a significant role, accounting for 20% of the total years lived with disability due to osteoarthritis.
“The burden of osteoarthritis among postmenopausal women continues to escalate, underscoring its growing impact on global health,” the researchers noted. “There is an urgent need for proactive measures to monitor and manage risk factors, particularly in promoting lifestyle changes to control body mass index (BMI). Policies that address socio-demographic disparities should also be a focus to alleviate the condition’s burden on postmenopausal women.”
To assess the global impact of osteoarthritis, the researchers used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, which included data from 204 countries and territories. Their analysis covered the period from 1990 to 2021, focusing on new and existing cases of osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, hand, and other joints, as well as years of healthy life lost (DALYs) among women aged 55 and above.
The study found that osteoarthritis of the knee was the most prevalent form, with the highest associated loss of healthy years of life—1264.48 per 100,000 people. It was followed by osteoarthritis of the hand and other joints, while osteoarthritis of the hip was the least common and contributed to the lowest rates of DALYs.
Given the significant rise in osteoarthritis cases and its disabling effects on postmenopausal women, experts stress the importance of early diagnosis, effective management, and lifestyle interventions to mitigate the condition’s impact. The findings also call for global health policies that are more attuned to the needs of aging populations, particularly in addressing the socio-economic factors that influence health outcomes.
