Global, Regional, and National Burden of Low Back Pain: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 and Projections to 2050.

Study design: This was an observational study.

Objective: Assessing the global burden of disease for low back pain (LBP) using the 2021 GBD (Global Burden of Disease) database.

Summary of background data: LBP is a leading cause of workforce loss and disability. With societal aging and changes in lifestyle and work habits, the incidence of LBP is expected to rise. This study comprehensively analyzes the epidemiological trends of global LBP from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: Data publicly available from the 2021 GBD study were utilized, and a systematic analysis was conducted to assess the global burden and epidemiological trends of LBP.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized prevalence, incidence, and Years Lived with Disability (YLD) rates of LBP have slightly declined globally. However, the number of affected individuals, new cases, and YLD numbers have significantly increased, making LBP a leading cause of YLD in 2021. The number of affected individuals increases with age, peaking in both men and women between the ages of 50 and 54. Worldwide, women have a higher prevalence of LBP than men, and this increases with age, with both genders reaching peak prevalence between 80 and 84 years in 2021. Overall, over the past 3 decades, age-standardized YLD rates have shown a positive correlation with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In terms of region and nation, Tropical Latin America and Kingdom of Sweden have seen the greatest increase in age-standardized prevalence rates from 1990 to 2021.

Conclusion: Globally, LBP remains a notable public health concern, carrying a consistently high burden. To alleviate the future impact of this disease, it is imperative to increase public awareness regarding its risk factors and to implement preventive measures.