Burden of Five Musculoskeletal Disorders in ASEAN Countries, 1990–2023: A Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 Analysis

Background/Objectives: Five musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including gout, low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis represent a growing public health burden; however, evidence from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains limited. This study aimed to assess the burden of these five MSDs across ten ASEAN countries. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, we estimated the burden using prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). National trends from 1990 to 2023 were assessed using average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: From 1990 to 2023, the absolute numbers of prevalent cases and absolute numbers of DALYs increased, with low back pain and osteoarthritis accounting for large shares across the ten countries. Country-level patterns differed between absolute numbers and age-standardised rates of the five MSDs. In 2023, age-specific absolute numbers of prevalent cases and absolute numbers of DALYs increased with age before declining in older age groups, with peak ages varying across the five MSDs. Across the five MSDs, age-standardised prevalence rates were generally higher among females, while gout showed higher rates among males. Age-standardised prevalence rates showed generally modest positive AAPCs for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, whereas low back pain and neck pain showed decreasing trends in most countries. Conclusions: The increasing burden in absolute numbers of the five MSDs across the ten ASEAN countries, together with persistent sex disparities, differences in age-specific patterns, variations in age-standardised trends, and considerable country-level heterogeneity, highlights the need for continued attention to the burden of the five MSDs in the region.