Regional Burden of Spinal Pain in Asia-Pacific Countries and Territories, 1990-2023: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

BACKGROUND

Despite being the most debilitating condition globally, spinal pain lacks region-specific analyses to inform baseline monitoring and resource allocation. Consequently, this study aimed to quantify the burden and temporal trends of spinal pain, including low back and neck pain, in Asia-Pacific countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, with analyses of variation by age, sex, year, and geography.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis was conducted using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023 for the region. The study was exclusively on secondary GBD data. Spinal pain was defined according to GBD case definitions as low back pain and neck pain. The analysis examined incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs).

RESULTS

In 2023, spinal pain was estimated to account for 155 million incident cases, 412 million prevalent cases, and 45 million YLDs in the Asia-Pacific region. The age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and YLD rates were 26,204, 68,951, and 7,517 per 100,000 population, respectively. From 1990 to 2023, absolute numbers increased by 11.32% for incidence, 12.14% for prevalence, and 11.99% for YLDs, while age-standardized rates declined by 0.67%, 0.68%, and 0.65%, respectively. Low back pain comprised the majority of the regional burden, accounting for 85% of incident cases, 74% of prevalent cases, and 76% of YLDs. Geographically, East Asia and South Asia accounted for the greatest share of the regional burden, with the highest absolute numbers observed among middle-aged adults. Across all measures, females consistently experienced a greater burden compared to males.

CONCLUSION

Spinal pain remains a substantial and escalating source of disability within the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the necessity for targeted prevention strategies and the integration of spinal health into regional health policies.