Early-onset Osteoarthritis is a Growing Health Problem, Save

Data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, suggests that early-onset osteoarthritis (OA) (before age 55 yrs) is an emerging health issue that parallels societal problems of obesity. 

Researchers used data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, and examined the numbers of incident cases, prevalent cases, years lived with disability (YLDs) and corresponding age-standardised rates for early-onset OA from 1990 to 2019. The case definition was symptomatic and radiographically confirmed OA in any joint.

From 1990 to 2019, the frequency of early-onset OA doubled. As of 2019, 52.31% of incident OA cases were under 55 years.

The age-standardised rates of incidence, prevalence and YLDs increased globally regardless of Sociodemographic Index (SDI). The fastest increases in low-middle SDI countries.

Early-onset OA accounts for US$46.17 billion in healthcare expenditure and US$60.70 billion in productivity loss cost in 2019. High BMI has grown as a contributor to the early-onset OA - increasing globally from 9.41% (1990) to 15.29% (2019).

Early-onset OA is a developing global health problem requiring effective public health policies and preventive interventions.