A new study published in the journal The Lancet Rheumatology warns against the growing silent pandemic of low back pain, affecting 620 million people worldwide and is expected to reach almost 10% of the world’s population by the year 2050.
The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and cited in natgeoreveals that older people are at higher risk, as the prevalence of low back pain increases with age and peaks at 85 years of age.
Low back pain has become the leading cause of disability worldwide. In 2020, there were 69 million years lived with a disability due to this disease.
Although other health indicators have been declining around the world, low back pain has continued to rise. The main risk factors include obesity and occupational ergonomic factors, such as the posture adopted and repetitive movements in the work environment, representing 40% of cases of low back pain.
Dismal projection for 2050
The number of cases of low back pain varies by geographic region and age. Hungary and the Czech Republic have the highest rates by age, while Myanmar and the Maldives have the lowest rates.
By 2050, yese projects a 36.4% increase in the incidence of low back pain worldwide, affecting approximately 843 million peoplemainly in Asia and Africa.
The social and economic impact of low back pain is significant, since it affects quality of life, work productivity and creates dependence on pain-relieving drugs. It is necessary to implement more effective prevention strategies, especially for the elderly population.
In the workplace, low back pain is the most common cause of job abandonment due to chronic health conditions. The results of this study may help policymakers and health care providers develop prevention strategies and improve management of this condition.