Projected number of osteoarthritis patients in Austria for the next decades – quantifying the necessity of treatment and prevention strategies in Europe

Abstract

Background The present study aimed to predict the expected number of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) in Austria up to the year 2080. Methods Demographic data and population projections between 2019 and 2080 were obtained from European authorities. Information about recent age- and sex-stratified prevalence of patients with self-reported physician-diagnosed OA was obtained from the Austrian Health Interview Survey (n = 15,771). Projections were stratified by age and sex; sensitivity analyses were performed based on aging, main (most likely), and growth scenarios of the population. Results Based on the projection, the overall increase in the total number of patients with OA from 2019 to 2080 will be 38% for men and women. In 2019, the highest number of OA-patients nested in the groups of persons aged 70-79 (n = 238,749) and 60-69 (n = 237,729) years. In 2080, the 80+ age group is predicted to have the highest number of OA with 421,548 individuals (i.e. factor 3.45 and factor 2.48 increase in the male and female group, respectively, compared to 2019), followed by the group aged 70-79 with 314,617 individuals (factor 1.45 and factor 1.28 increase in the male and female group, respectively, compared to 2019). Similar trends were found in the ageing and growing scenarios. Conclusions The projected increase in the occurrence of OA will likely lead to a substantial socioeconomic burden for the Austrian healthcare system in the near and far future. The current findings plead for the development of sustainable concepts for the treatment and prevention of OA by European authorities.

Nutrition and movement to improve quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: the NUMOQUA study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…The number of people affected by OA will continue to increase, mainly based on the well-known demographic changes [ 6 , 9 ] and the Western lifestyle characterised by unfavourable eating habits and limited physical activity leading to a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity [ 87 ]. This situation will have far-reaching consequences for those affected and for society as a whole.…”

“…Due to ongoing demographic changes, the prevalence of knee OA is expected to increase further in the future, which emphasises the magnitude of this disorder and stresses the need for a paradigm shift towards early and effective treatment [ 6 ]. For example, a recent study expects a 38% increase of OA in Austria from 2019 to 2080 [ 9 ].…”

Virtual Tools to Enable Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major contributor to global disability [1] and the disease burden is set to escalate in the future [2,3] as OA prevalence increases with the ageing of the population and rising obesity rates. It will become increasingly difficult for health services to manage people experiencing persistent knee pain and physical dysfunction typically associated with knee OA, and innovative approaches to delivering care at scale will be required.…”

Anti-Inflammatory and Chondroprotective Effects Induced by Phenolic Compounds from Onion Waste Extracts in ATDC-5 Chondrogenic Cell Line

“…The increase in life expectancy together with current changes regarding sedentary lifestyles and obesity point to a higher prevalence of this pathology. In fact, it is anticipated that by 2030, the prevalence of OA will substantially rise, reaching 25–30% in different countries [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”