Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, especially among working-age group. This study evaluates the global, regional, and national burden of LBP among individuals aged 15–64 utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.MethodsWe assessed trends...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cifeng Zhang, Bing Lv, Qian Yi, Guicong Qiu, Fengling Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1559355/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849715233332920320
author Cifeng Zhang
Bing Lv
Qian Yi
Guicong Qiu
Fengling Wu
author_facet Cifeng Zhang
Bing Lv
Qian Yi
Guicong Qiu
Fengling Wu
author_sort Cifeng Zhang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, especially among working-age group. This study evaluates the global, regional, and national burden of LBP among individuals aged 15–64 utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.MethodsWe assessed trends in incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for LBP from 1900 to 2021. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated, and joinpoint regression and decomposition analyses were used to identify key drivers. Future trends were projected through 2050.ResultsThe prevalence of LBP in working-age group has risen to 452.8 million cases globally, a 52.66% increase since 1990. South Asia reported the highest absolute number of cases, while Central and Eastern Europe showed the highest ASRs. Across all regions, women consistently exhibited higher incidence, prevalence, and DALYs than men. Decomposition analysis revealed that population growth was the main factor contributing to the rising burden. Projections indicate that LBP cases will continue increasing through 2050, particularly among women, although ASRs are expected to decline.ConclusionThe burden of LBP among working-age group is growing due to population expansion. Despite declining ASRs, substantial regional and gender disparities remain, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies.
format Article
id doaj-art-1ee5452f8ee34f27866da0a6803294f9
institution DOAJ
issn 2296-2565
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Public Health
spelling doaj-art-1ee5452f8ee34f27866da0a6803294f92025-08-20T03:13:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-04-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15593551559355Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050Cifeng Zhang0Bing Lv1Qian Yi2Guicong Qiu3Fengling Wu4The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Fifth People's Hospital of Longgang District, Shenzhen, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe Fifth People's Hospital of Longgang District, Shenzhen, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, especially among working-age group. This study evaluates the global, regional, and national burden of LBP among individuals aged 15–64 utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.MethodsWe assessed trends in incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for LBP from 1900 to 2021. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated, and joinpoint regression and decomposition analyses were used to identify key drivers. Future trends were projected through 2050.ResultsThe prevalence of LBP in working-age group has risen to 452.8 million cases globally, a 52.66% increase since 1990. South Asia reported the highest absolute number of cases, while Central and Eastern Europe showed the highest ASRs. Across all regions, women consistently exhibited higher incidence, prevalence, and DALYs than men. Decomposition analysis revealed that population growth was the main factor contributing to the rising burden. Projections indicate that LBP cases will continue increasing through 2050, particularly among women, although ASRs are expected to decline.ConclusionThe burden of LBP among working-age group is growing due to population expansion. Despite declining ASRs, substantial regional and gender disparities remain, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1559355/fulllow back painglobal burden of diseaseincidenceprevalenceDALYs
spellingShingle Cifeng Zhang
Bing Lv
Qian Yi
Guicong Qiu
Fengling Wu
Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
Frontiers in Public Health
low back pain
global burden of disease
incidence
prevalence
DALYs
title Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
title_full Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
title_fullStr Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
title_full_unstemmed Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
title_short Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain in working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
title_sort global regional and national burden of low back pain in working age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for 2050
topic low back pain
global burden of disease
incidence
prevalence
DALYs
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1559355/full
work_keys_str_mv AT cifengzhang globalregionalandnationalburdenoflowbackpaininworkingagepopulationfrom1990to2021andprojectionsfor2050
AT binglv globalregionalandnationalburdenoflowbackpaininworkingagepopulationfrom1990to2021andprojectionsfor2050
AT qianyi globalregionalandnationalburdenoflowbackpaininworkingagepopulationfrom1990to2021andprojectionsfor2050
AT guicongqiu globalregionalandnationalburdenoflowbackpaininworkingagepopulationfrom1990to2021andprojectionsfor2050
AT fenglingwu globalregionalandnationalburdenoflowbackpaininworkingagepopulationfrom1990to2021andprojectionsfor2050