Over 840 million people worldwide will suffer from back pain by 2050: Study

According to a modeling study published in the Lancet Rheumatology journal, more than 840 million people worldwide will suffer from back pain by 2050, mainly due to population growth and aging people. Researchers analyzed more than 30 years of data to show that the landscape of back pain cases is set to change, with the biggest increases in cases occurring in Asia and Africa. The continued lack of a consistent approach to the treatment of back pain, and the limited treatment options have researchers concerned that this will lead to a health crisis, as low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world, they said. Said.

“Our analysis paints a picture of low back pain cases globally, which puts a huge strain on our health system,” said Professor Manuela Ferreira from the University of Sydney in Australia, lead author of the study. “We need to establish a national, consistent approach to the management of low back pain that is informed by research,” Ferreira said in a statement.

The study found that since 2017, the number of cases of low back pain has reached more than half a billion people. In 2020, approximately 619 million cases of back pain were reported. At least one-third of the disability burden was associated with back pain, which was due to occupational factors, smoking and being overweight. A widespread misconception is that low back pain mostly affects adults of working age. However, the researchers noted that this study confirmed that low back pain is more common in older people. The incidence of lower back pain was also higher among women than men, he added.

The study analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2020 from more than 204 countries and territories to map the landscape of back pain cases over time. The GBD is the most comprehensive picture of mortality and disability across countries, times and ages. Professor Anthony Woolf, co-chair of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, said: “Health systems need to respond to this enormous and growing burden of low back pain, which is affecting people globally.” Burden of musculoskeletal conditions. “Much more needs to be done to prevent back pain and ensure timely access to care, as are effective ways to help people in pain,” Wolf said.

In 2018, experts expressed their concerns in The Lancet journal and made recommendations, particularly regarding exercise and education, in global policy on the best way to prevent and manage low back pain to stem the rise of inappropriate treatments. about the need for change.
However, since then, little has changed. Common treatments recommended for low back pain have been found to be of unknown effectiveness or ineffective – some include surgery and opioids, the researchers said.

Ferreira said there is a lack of consistency in how health professionals manage cases of back pain and how the health care system needs to adapt. Older people,” said the researcher.