WHO release fact sheets on Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Much welcomed fact sheets on low back pain, OA and RA have been released by the WHO. The fact sheets outline the scope of the problem; signs and symptoms; cause and risk factors; prevention and control; treatment and management; self-care; and WHO response

LOW BACK PAIN – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain

• LBP is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition for which the greatest number of people may benefit from rehabilitation.
• In 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and ageing

OSTEOARTHRITIS – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis

• In 2019, about 528 million people worldwide were living with osteoarthritis; an increase of 113% since 1990
• With ageing populations and increasing rates of obesity and injury, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to continue to increase globally.
• Osteoarthritis is not an evitable consequence of ageing

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatoid-arthritis

• In 2019, 18 million people worldwide were living with rheumatoid arthritis.
• About 70% of people living with rheumatoid arthritis are women, and 55% are older than 55 years.
• 13 million people with rheumatoid arthritis experience severity levels (moderate or severe) that could benefit from rehabilitation