Burden of Other Musculoskeletal Disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Objective To describe the results from the Global Burden Disease (GBD) study 2019 on the burden of other musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from all LAC region in the GBD study from 1990 to 2019. Other MSK (other than rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, low back pain, and neck pain) burden was measured as prevalence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life (DALY), by year, sex, and country. We show the counts, rates, and 95% uncertainty intervals (95% UI). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) from 1990 to 2019. A correlational analysis between the burden parameters and sociodemographic index (SDI) was performed. Results In 2019, there were 52.0 million (95% UI, 44.8–60.1 million) individuals with other MSK disorders in LAC. The age-standardized mortality rate in 2019 was 1.2 (95% UI, 0.8–1.6) per 100,000 inhabitants. The AAPC was estimated as 0.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1–0.2) and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1–0.3) for prevalence and mortality rates, respectively. The age-standardized DALY rate was 685.4 (95% UI, 483.6–483.6) per 100,000 inhabitants, representing an AAPC of 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1–0.3). The burden was larger in women and the elderly. The SDI was positively correlated with the prevalence of YLD in 2019. Conclusions LAC region has experienced a significant burden of other MSK disorders over the last three decades. To challenge this growing burden, population-based strategies designed to reduce the burden of other MSK and strengthen health systems to contribute effective and cost-efficient care are necessary.