ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Global burden of neck pain and its gender and regional inequalities from 1990 - 2021: a comprehensive analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Efficacy of stability exercise-based treatment strategies for non-specific neck pain: a network meta-analysis.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Pooled it
- Article
- Cognitive-behavioural treatment for neck pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026Article
- Comparison of the short-term effects of Mulligan and Maitland mobilisation techniques combined with home-based exercise for non-specific neck pain: A randomised controlled trial.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao · 2026Article
- Global, regional, and national burden of disease in neck pain: statistical analysis of incidence, prevalence, and DALYS, with projections to 2036.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026Article
- [Analysis of current status and trends of disease burden of neck pain in China from 1990 to 2023].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2026Article
- Inter-Rater Reliability of Active Cervical Range of Motion Measured With Digital Goniometer in Asymptomatic University-Level American Football Athletes.Musculoskeletal care · 2026Article
- "Learn and Move" Program for the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Primary Care: A Pilot Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Burdens of neck pain in China from 1990 to 2021 and its projection to 2050: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021.Pakistan journal of medical sciences · 2026Article
- Cervical Magnetic Resonance Imaging Profiles and Their Association with Cervical Pain in Dentists: A Cluster Analysis Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Screen time and chronic neck pain in Peru: A comparative population-based cross-sectional study in the COVID-19 post-pandemic period.PloS one · 2026Article
- Effect of Postural Stabilization Exercises in Combination with Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Craniovertebral Angle, Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Assessment of the Burden of Chronic Neck and/or Shoulder Pain on Quality of Life Among Saudi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of pain research · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundNeck pain is a growing public health concern, no recent research has comprehensively examined its incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) across different regions and genders. For the first time, this study aims to provide the most recent estimates on the global burden of neck pain between 1990 and 2021 obtained from the 2021 global burden of disease (GBD) database, focusing on regional and gender inequalities. We also predict future trends, highlighting its increasing impact on public health. MATERIALS AND
methodsThe study was conducted retrospectively using publicly available data from the GBD 2021 database, acquired on August 20, 2024. The incidence and burden of neck pain were assessed using DisMod-MR 2.1. Data on incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) rates per 100,000 people were obtained for countries, regions, ages, and sexes globally.
resultsIn 2021, the global age-standardized rates for incidence, and YLDs of neck pain per 100,000 population was 519 (95% uncertainty interval, 408-633), and 242 (163-343) per 100,000 population, respectively. Joinpoint regression showed both rates demonstrated an overall increasing trend from 1990 to 2021 worldwide. Projections suggest a slight decline in these rates for the coming years. Women consistently showed a higher burden than men across all age groups. Regional analyses indicated that the Islamic Republic of Iran had the highest rates, whereas New Zealand had the lowest. Negative correlations were observed between the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) and both the age-standardized rates and the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Low-SDI countries generally exhibited higher incidence and YLDs rates, whereas high-SDI countries maintained higher YLDs rates despite relatively lower incidence rates.
conclusionThe global burden of neck pain increased between 1990 and 2021, but future projections indicate a potential mild decrease. Gender and regional inequalities persist, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions focusing on women and low-SDI regions to alleviate the burden of neck pain.
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