Cheng Yan, Shao Tihong, Chen Xingdong
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NO 228 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China.
Rheumatol Immunol Res. 2025 Jul 1;6(2):99-109. doi: 10.1515/rir-2025-0013. eCollection 2025 Jun.
The latest prevalence data for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is essential for effective disease control and management. Although numerous studies examine the global burden of RA, recent data specific to China has been lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the variations of RA burden in mainland China from 1990 to 2021 utilizing data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) study 2021.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of RA burden in China based on the GBD 2021 study. We collected data on RA prevalence, incidence, and disability adjusted life years in China from 1990 to 2021, then calculated the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to summarize the overall trends.
In 2021, the total numbers of prevalent cases, incident cases, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for RA in China were 4,755,500, 247,300, and 833,800, respectively; From 1990 to 2021, the rates of incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of RA showed an increasing trend, with EAPCs of 0.61, 0.59, and 0.17, respectively. Throughout this period, the RA burden was notably higher in females than in males. In 2021, RA incidence rates among individuals aged 15-44, 45-59, and 60-85+ followed an approximate 1∶1∶1 ratio. Projections using the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model indicated that by 2045, compared to 2021, the total incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs of RA in China are expected to increase by 15.7%, 13.2%, and 4.2%, respectively.
Over the past 32 years, the RA burden in China had continued to increase, and is expected to rise substantially over the next decade. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and management of RA, with priority given to the female population and young patients.
类风湿关节炎（RA）的最新患病率数据对于有效控制和管理该疾病至关重要。尽管众多研究探讨了RA的全球负担，但缺乏中国的最新具体数据。本研究旨在利用2021年全球疾病、伤害及风险因素负担（GBD）研究的数据，评估1990年至2021年中国大陆RA负担的变化情况。
我们基于GBD 2021研究对中国的RA负担进行了回顾性分析。收集了1990年至2021年中国RA患病率、发病率及伤残调整生命年的数据，然后计算估计年变化百分比（EAPC）以总结总体趋势。
2021年，中国RA的患病人数、新发病例数及伤残调整生命年分别为4755500、247300和833800；1990年至2021年，RA的发病率、患病率及伤残调整生命年呈上升趋势，EAPC分别为0.61、0.59和0.17。在此期间，女性的RA负担显著高于男性。2021年，15 - 44岁、45 - 59岁及60 - 85岁以上人群的RA发病率大致呈1∶1∶1的比例。使用贝叶斯年龄 - 时期 - 队列（BAPC）模型进行的预测表明，到2045年，与2021年相比，中国RA的新发病例总数、患病人数及伤残调整生命年预计将分别增加15.7%、13.2%和4.2%。
在过去32年中，中国的RA负担持续增加，预计在未来十年还将大幅上升。因此，有必要加强RA的预防和管理，重点关注女性人群和年轻患者。
