A new report recently issued by the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) highlights the alarming burden put on the country by musculoskeletal conditions. Specifically, the report estimated that 126.6 million Americans (one in two adults) are affected by a musculoskeletal condition—comparable to the total percentage of Americans living with a chronic lung or heart condition.
“This report provides the critical data needed to understand the magnitude of the problem, and the burden, of musculoskeletal disease in our country, ” said David Pisetsky, M.D., USBJI president, and professor of medicine and immunology at Duke University Medical School. “The number of visits to physicians for these disorders, the cost of treating them, and the indirect costs associated with pain and loss of mobility, are proportionately much higher than the resources currently being allocated to combat these conditions and injuries.”
As indicated in the March 1, 2016 news release, “According to the report, the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders are arthritis and related conditions; back and neck pain; injuries from falls, work, military service and sports; and osteoporosis. An estimated 126.6 million Americans were living with a musculoskeletal disorder in 2012…. In 2011, the annual U.S. cost for treatment and lost wages related to musculoskeletal disorders was $213 billion, or 1.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).”
Asked what kind of research is most needed, Dr. Pisetsky told OTW, “Given the diversity of musculoskeletal conditions, the research agenda needs to be broad to encompass diseases caused by inflammation, age-related and degenerative processes and trauma. Some of these conditions are inherited or have genetic determination, necessitating fundamental investigation on development. Overarching themes include the response to injury, the control of inflammation, and the processes of repair and regeneration.”
As for what is important for legislators to know, Dr. Pisetsky commented, “Musculoskeletal diseases are very common, affect quality of life and impact on the course of many other common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. If the musculoskeletal does not function well, physical activity is limited, depriving the individual of the health benefits of movement. It is essential that health care funding provides everyone the opportunity to benefit from current treatments.”
“An investment in research on musculoskeletal disease has had major benefits as exemplified by the important progress in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Scientific advances that have come from fundamental research have been rapidly translated into new treatments, greatly improving quality of life and reducing pain and disability. Continued research promises even greater advances that build on the progress already achieved. Such treatment can in turn improve overall health by reducing pain and allowing greater physical activity.”
