The escalating burden of osteoarthritis in East and Southeast Asia: an information-analytical study from the GBD 2021

By 2021, the global burden of osteoarthritis had shifted substantially toward East and Southeast Asia, with an especially pronounced surge among middle-aged adults (30-60 years). These observations underscore the imperative for clinicians to recognize osteoarthritis as an emerging midlife health challenge in these regions, calling for earlier diagnosis, tailored preventive strategies, and revised clinical guidelines to address this evolving demographic landscape. Key Points • This study reveals a sharply escalating burden of osteoarthritis among middle-aged adults (30-60 years) in East and Southeast Asia, underscoring an urgent need for clinicians to strengthen early detection and optimize management strategies in this population. • The migration of osteoarthritis's epicenter to Asia underscores the pressing need for region-specific clinical guidelines and interventions, particularly in nations with substantial unmet health potential such as Japan and Singapore.