Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease: Estimating Global Incidence and Worldwide Volume

Abstract

Study Design:Meta-analysis-based calculation.Objectives:Lumbar degenerative spine disease (DSD) is a common cause of disability, yet a reliable measure of its global burden does not exist. We sought to quantify the incidence of lumbar DSD to determine the overall worldwide burden of symptomatic lumbar DSD across World Health Organization regions and World Bank income groups.Methods:We used a meta-analysis to create a single proportion of cases of DSD in patients with low back pain (LBP). Using this information in conjunction with LBP incidence rates, we calculated the global incidence of individuals who have DSD and LBP (ie, their DSD has neurosurgical relevance) based on the Global Burden of Disease 2015 database.Results:We found that 266 million individuals (3.63%) worldwide have DSD and LBP each year; the highest and lowest estimated incidences were found in Europe (5.7%) and Africa (2.4%), respectively. Based on population sizes, low- and middle-income countries have 4 times as many cases as high-income countries. Thirty-nine million individuals (0.53%) worldwide were found to have spondylolisthesis, 403 million (5.5%) individuals worldwide with symptomatic disc degeneration, and 103 million (1.41%) individuals worldwide with spinal stenosis annually.Conclusions:A total of 266 million individuals (3.63%) worldwide were found to have DSD and LBP annually. Significantly, data quality is higher in high-income countries, making overall quantification in low- and middle-income countries less complete. A global effort to address degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine in regions with high demand is important to reduce disability.

Polyetheretherketone Versus Titanium Cages for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

“…The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) due to lumbar spondylosis is estimated at 3.6% worldwide, and 4.5% in North America. 1 When indicated, the appli-cation of interbody techniques to posterior lumbar fusion surgery is performed in a way to promote circumferential fusion across the instrumented levels. The use of interbody fusion techniques has increased and is a technique often utilized in the treatment of spondylolisthesis and spinal deformity.…”

Regenerative Medicine for Axial and Radicular Spine‐Related Pain: A Narrative Review

“…Pain originating from the spine is incredibly common, with an annual point prevalence of 13% for chronic low back pain and 4.9% for neck pain . The overall prevalence is likely higher than reported as this pain is best documented in high‐income populations, with limited data from their middle‐ and lower‐income counterparts . The most common pain generators in the lumbar spine are the intervertebral disc and zygapophyseal, or facet, joints.…”

Global neurosurgery: current and potential impact of neurosurgeons at the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly. Executive summary of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies–World Health Organization Liaison Committee at the 71st World Health Assembly

“…6 They calculated an operative deficit of 5 million neurosurgical cases per annum, with traumatic brain injury, stroke-related conditions, tumors, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy comprising the majority of the global neurosurgical disease burden. 4,5,[7][8][9][10]14,15,18 They further estimated that 23,300 additional neurosurgeons are needed to address the deficit, mostly in Africa and Southeast Asia.…”