Study Finds Osteoarthritis-Related Disability Among Women Surges Over 130% Globally
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Synopsis
A recent study highlights that osteoarthritis cases and related disabilities have surged by over 130% among postmenopausal women globally in the last three decades, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies and lifestyle modifications.
Key Takeaways
- 130% increase in osteoarthritis cases among postmenopausal women globally.
- Oestrogen decline post-menopause is a significant risk factor.
- Excess weight contributes to 20% of disability years.
- Proactive measures are essential for managing risk factors.
- Knee osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type.
New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) A recent study has revealed that the worldwide prevalence of osteoarthritis and the disability linked to this condition have increased by over 130 percent in the past 30 years among postmenopausal women. The deterioration and damage to joint cartilage is a primary cause of osteoarthritis, leading to bony remodelling, joint dysfunction, and persistent pain. As of 2020, approximately 595 million individuals globally were living with this condition, accounting for nearly 8 percent of the population, with postmenopausal women at a significantly higher risk.
In 2021, there were 14,258,581 new cases of osteoarthritis, 278,568,950 existing cases, and 99,447,16 years of healthy life lost (DALYs), reflecting increases of 133 percent, 140 percent, and 142 percent since 1990, respectively, according to the study published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.
The research team from China noted that the decline in female hormones, particularly oestrogen, following menopause is a significant factor contributing to the problem. This hormonal drop negatively affects skeletal health and disrupts the function and stability of the joint system. Furthermore, excess weight contributed to 20 percent of the total years lived with the resulting disability.
“The burden of osteoarthritis among postmenopausal women is on the rise, underscoring its considerable impact on global health,” stated researchers from Hangzhou Medical College and Zhejiang University in China. “There is a pressing need for proactive strategies to effectively monitor and manage risk factors, with a particular focus on promoting lifestyle changes aimed at controlling BMI. Additionally, policies should address socio-demographic disparities to alleviate the challenges posed by osteoarthritis in this demographic,” they added.
To assess the global impact of osteoarthritis on postmenopausal women, the researchers utilized data from The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.
They analyzed data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021 regarding new and existing cases of knee, hip, hand, and other forms of osteoarthritis, as well as years of healthy life lost (DALYs) among women aged 55 and older.
The most prevalent type was knee osteoarthritis, associated with the highest loss of healthy years of life (1264.48/100,000 people), followed by hand and other forms. Hip osteoarthritis was the least common and linked to the lowest rates of DALYs.
