ObjectiveTo analyze the current status and trends of the disease burden of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in China from 1990 to 2023, and to examine the epidemiological characteristics of age, gender differences, and attribution to high body mass index (BMI), in order to provide a basis for formulating prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the disease burden of KOA in China. Methods Based on the 2023 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database, data on the number, rate, and age-standardized rate of incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for KOA, and DALYs for KOA attributable to high BMI in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2023 were integrated. The Joinpoint 5.4.0.0 software was used to analyze the age and gender differences in KOA and the epidemiological characteristics attributable to high BMI. Results The standardized incidence, prevalence, and DALYs rates of KOA in China in 2023 increased by 6.46%, 6.43%, and 6.93%, respectively, compared with 1990. In terms of age, the disease burden of KOA in China was lowest in the age group of 30-34 years, with the highest incidence rate in the age group of 50-54 years, whereas the prevalence rate and DALYs rate continued to increase with age, and both were highest in the age group of ≥70 years. In terms of gender, all disease burden standardized rate indicators were higher in females than in males, and the difference widened with age. The rate of BMI-attributable DALYs increased at an annual average rate of 1.57% (95%CI: 1.55, 1.59) from 1990 to 2023, again with significant age and gender differences. ConclusionThe continued growth of the KOA disease burden and significant population differences characterizing China call for focused attention on the female middle-aged and elderly population, enhanced weight management, and implementation of targeted preventive and control measures.
Objective To analyze the trends in the disease burden of fall-related fractures among elderly Chinese from 1990 to 2023, and to examine the disparities by age, gender, and fracture site, in order to inform the development of targeted strategies for the prevention of such fractures. Methods Data on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) of fall-related fractures among elderly Chinese from 1990 and 2023 was sourced from the 2023 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The disease burden across age groups, genders, and fracture sites was assessed. Furthermore, temporal trends by these strata were analyzed using Joinpoint 5.4.0.0 software. Results From 1990 to 2023, the average annual percent changes in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), and age-standardized years of life lost rate (ASYR) for fall-related fractures among elderly Chinese were 1.81%, 1.03%, and 0.83%, respectively. In China, the disease burden of fall-related fractures among the elderly increased with advancing age, and the rate of this increase accelerated in older age groups. Females had higher values than males in terms of ASIR, the rates of increase for all burden measures were greater in males. Fall-related fractures among the elderly Chinese can be classified into 12 sites, among which hip fracture had the highest ASIR, with values of 538.15 and 963.57 per 100 000 in 1990 and 2023, respectively. Fractures of the patella, tibia, fibula, or ankle had the highest ASPR and ASYR. Their ASPR were14 836.73 and 19 727.74 per 100 000 in 1990 and 2023, respectively, and ASYR were 740.84 and 989.54 per 100 000, respectively. Conclusion The increasing and heterogeneous burden of fall-related fractures among elderly Chinese calls for targeted management strategies, in addition to enhanced osteoporosis prevention, that address the distinct risks by gender, age, and fracture site.