2023-08-22 12:08:04
Updated Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – 12:08
Cases are expected to increase due to an aging population and high levels of obesity
AMANIMedicina This is how exercise can help slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and alleviate the pain it produces
A study published today in The Lancet Rheumatology projects that almost one billion people will live with osteoarthritisthe most common form of arthritis, in the year 2050.
Currently, 15% of the global population over the age of 30 suffers from osteoarthritis, according to research led by the US Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which has analyzed 30 years of data on osteoarthritis (1990-2020). in more than 200 countries.
The study found that cases have risen rapidly over the past three decades due to three main factors: aging, population growth and obesity.
In 1990, 256 million people had osteoarthritis. By 2020, the number increased to 595 million people, an increase of 132% since 1990, while by 2050 it is estimated that this number will approach the one billion mark.
“There is currently no effective cure for osteoarthritis, so it is critical that we focus on prevention and early intervention strategies“, said in a statement the lead author of the work, Jaimie Steinmetz.
The most common areas of the body where osteoarthritis is suffered are knees and hips.
In the coming decades, the condition is expected to increase especially in the hips (78.6% more cases), knees (74.9%) and hands (48.6%), while it is estimated that more women than men they will continue to deal with that condition.
In 2020, 61% of osteoarthritis cases were in women versus 39% in men.
The study shows that a high body mass index is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis, thus emphasizing that if obesity in the world population is effectively addressed, the impact of osteoarthritis could be reduced by 20%.
“Health care systems and governments have an opportunity to identify vulnerable populations, address the causes of obesity, and develop strategies to prevent or delay the progression of osteoarthritis,” said researcher Liane Ong.
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