The burden of rheumatoid arthritis in China from 1990-2021: An analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the leading cause of disability and functional limitations in middle-aged and older adults. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the burden of disease associated with RA in China. This study comprehensively describes the prevalence and health loss associated with RA in China from 1990 to 2021, utilizing demographic and geographic variables. The findings of this study can inform effective health policy, healthcare resource allocation, and the optimization of patient management programs. Methods We utilized extensive data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to analyze the prevalence, mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of RA in China from 1990 to 2021. We conducted a disaggregated and comparative study by age, sex, and region. A comparison was subsequently made between the Chinese study results and global data, as well as data from Middle and High-middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI) countries with similar economic development to China. Results The age-standardized prevalence of RA in China increased by 17% from 1990 to 2021. Concurrently, there was a 22% reduction in mortality, a 33% decline in the YLL rate, a 17% increase in the YLD rate, and no change in the DALY rate. The majority of the burden associated with RA in China is attributable to disability. The YLL rate is higher than the global level and that observed in other Middle-SDI and High-middle SDI countries. There is a greater burden of disease in females across all indicators, and the DALY rate is higher in the middle-aged and older age groups, with a peak at 55–59 years of age. China's prevalence and DALY rates exceed the global average. Conclusion Systematic studies into the trends of RA burden, encompassing variations related to age and sex, are essential for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare providers in China. The early identification and management of RA, particularly among women and middle-aged to older adults, has the potential to significantly reduce the overall burden of the disease.