Global, regional, and national trends in sex- and age-specific disability adjusted life years of musculoskeletal disorders, 1990-2019.

Objective To quantify temporal trend of sex- and age-specific disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) by region and cause. Methods Data were collected from Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) by sex, age, region, and cause was calculated to examine the temporal trend of age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR). The socio-demographic index (SDI) and risk exposures are also examined. Results Between 1990 and 2019, global ASDR in MSK remained almost stable by sex and age group, but decreased mostly among females aged 0-14 years (EAPC = -0.27). Such age- and sex- trend pattern was nearly the same by SDI, except for high SDI regions, where ASDR extensively increased in subgroups but those aged 15-49 years. The trend in ASDR of MSK for females and males aged 50-74 and 75+ years increased in about 80% countries and territories. The greatest increase was in El Salvador for males aged 15-49 years (EAPC = 1.30), followed by Nicaragua. Association between EAPC and SDI was positive in developing regions, particularly among females aged 15-49 years, and negative in developed regions. Decreased trend in ASDR mainly driven by the decrease in LBP, while the increased trend was largely due to other MSK and gout across sexes and age groups. Conclusions There are great disparities in the age- and sex-specific trend in ASDR by cause at global, regional, and national level. More differentiated prevention and management strategies are needed for MSK.