Burden of low-back pain disease caused by occupational ergonomic factors in China from 1990 to 2021 and forecast for 2035: a systematic analysis and comparison with global trends.

BACKGROUND

Low-Back Pain (LBP) caused by Occupational Ergonomic Factors (OEF) is a major contributor to Years Lived with Disability (YLD) in China. Understanding the burden trends of OEF on LBP is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies. However, comprehensive analyses in this area are lacking in China.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and forecast the burden trends of OEF-induced LBP in China and compare them with global trends.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. We used Joinpoint models and Age-Period-Cohort analyses to compare and analyze the temporal trends of OEF-induced LBP burden in China and globally.

RESULTS

From 1990 to 2021, although the reported YLDs due to OEF-induced LBP increased in both global and Chinese populations, the Age-Standardized YLD Rate (ASYR) due to OEF-induced LBP showed a decrease over the same period with average annual percentage changes of -0.68 (95% CI: -0.72, -0.63) and - 1.48 (95% CI: -1.56, -1.40) globally and in China, respectively. The burden of ASYR due to OEF-induced LBP in China was primarily among females aged 50-54. By 2035, it is anticipated that the number of YLDs due to OEF-induced LBP will significantly increase in both China and globally, while the global ASYR due to OEF-induced LBP is projected to decrease over the next 14 years, in contrast to the rising trend in China.

CONCLUSION

The burden of YLDs and ASYR due to OEF-induced LBP in China is primarily among middle-aged individuals, especially females. This underscores the need for stringent implementation of effective LBP prevention strategies in China, particularly targeting middle-aged women with significant transformative potential.