Trends in prevalence and disability burden of main rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in France 2008-2022.

OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence, associated disability and pain burden of the main rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs): rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid inflammatory arthritis, knee, hip and other peripheral joint osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low back and neck pain, as well as their trends over 15 years in France.

SETTING

Two large nationwide representative surveys conducted in France in 2008 and 2022 that similarly and comprehensively assessed chronic conditions and disabilities.

PARTICIPANTS

20 724 participants aged ≥25 years in Disability Healthcare Household Survey (2008) and 18 562 in Autonomy Survey (2022).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disability and pain profiles with 10 indicators were constructed using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. A multistep approach based on a conceptual model was used to estimate the prevalence and disability burden of RMDs and their trends, controlling for age, education level, obesity and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and low back pain increased by >50% between 2008 and 2022, while rheumatoid arthritis (both sexes), non-rheumatoid arthritis and neck pain (men) and hip osteoarthritis (women) increased by 25%-50%; osteoporosis remained stable. Large increases in obesity and comorbidities, massively present in RMDs, including cardiovascular and mental disorders, contributed to increasing overall disability for all RMDs. After controlling for comorbidities, the disability burden increased (notably but not exclusively with mobility activities and pain) for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis and decreased for others except rheumatoid arthritis and neck pain, which remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of most RMDs increased between 2008 and 2022, causing a higher disability burden, partly due to rising levels of obesity and comorbidities. These results should inform surveillance and policies for the development of RMD preventive measures given the massive increase in chronic conditions.