Musculoskeletal disorders

1. Key messages

2. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders

7% to 18% of all Belgians reported suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder

Musculoskeletal disorders refer to complaints that are located in the musculoskeletal system and include, among others, low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis. These complaints are often limiting people in their day-to-day activities, and they might become chronically painful and disabling diseases. Often disregarded due to their low fatality rate, musculoskeletal disorders account for the greatest proportion of persistent pain, affecting physical function and mental health, increasing the risk of developing other chronic health conditions.

In Belgium in 2018, 12% of the population reported suffering from low back pain, 7.8% from neck pain, and 18% from osteoarthritis. In general, the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders increased with age with 24% of people over 75 years of age reporting suffering from low back pain, 13.2% from neck pain, and 44% from osteoarthritis.

When analyzing the age-adjusted self-reported prevalence for men, the prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis was 11%, 5.3%, and 15%, respectively. In women, the age-adjusted prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis was 13%, 10%, and 22% respectively.

Low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis were more commonly reported among women for all age groups. An exception is observed for low back pain in the group of people between 25 and 34 years old, where men showed a higher prevalence than women.

The gender difference was more pronounced in people aged 45 and over, for whom the prevalence of low back pain was between 1.1 and 1.5 times higher in women, the prevalence of neck pain was between 1.5 and 2.9 times higher in women, and the prevalence of osteoarthritis was between 1.4 and 1.5 times higher in women.

The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was found in the Flemish Region and Walloon Region

In 2018, for every musculoskeletal disorder, the highest age-adjusted prevalence was observed in the Walloon Region, followed by the Flemish Region, and the Brussels Capital Region, in men and women. The age-adjusted prevalence of every musculoskeletal disorder was higher in women in all regions.

The number of people that suffer from a musculoskeletal disorder is increasing over time

Between 2008 and 2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of low back pain and neck pain increased in both genders. The number of people suffering from low back pain increased by 26% in men, and 3.9% in women, while the number of people suffering from neck pain increased by 23% in men and 20% in women. For osteoarthritis, data is only available from 2013 onwards, whereby the number of people suffering from osteoarthritis increased between 2013 and 2018 by 16% in men, and 4.8% in women.

Among men

In men, the age-adjusted prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis have generally increased over time in the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region between 2008 and 2018, and it has remained stable or even decreased in the Brussels Capital Region.

Among women

In women, the age-adjusted prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis have generally increased over time in the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region between 2008 and 2018, and it has remained stable or even slightly decreased in the Brussels Capital Region.

3. Read more

View the metadata for this indicator

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the main causes of morbidity worldwide, particularly in high-income countries. Musculoskeletal disorders include disorders that primarily affect the musculoskeletal system, and the most common musculoskeletal disorders include low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis. Low back pain and neck pain are disorders that are characterized by pain reported in a specific area, for which in 90% of the cases no specific structural cause can be identified. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that most frequently occurs in the hands, hips, and knees.

Health determinants for musculoskeletal disorders include socio-demographic, occupational, and lifestyle factors. These socio-demographic factors include low education, middle age, and sex (i.e. women have a higher risk compared to men). Occupational factors include performing manual work, and lifestyle factors include smoking, physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior.

The indicators that are presented on this page:

• The prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis refer to people who have reported suffering from a specific musculoskeletal disorders during the last 12 months and is derived from the Belgian Health Interview Survey [1]. The prevalence estimates are calculated based on a population aged 15 years and more.

Definitions

Low back pain

Low back pain is defined as pain in the lumbosacral region, usually accompanied by painful limitation of motion, influenced by strain and the adoption of certain postures, and which may be associated with referred pain. When diagnosed as non-specific low back pain, it is assumed that there are no underlying conditions such as fractures, spondylitis, direct trauma, or neoplastic, infectious, vascular, metabolic, or endocrinology-related processes that might cause pain. The diagnosis is based on the self-reported symptomatology of patients.

Neck pain

Neck pain is defined as pain that starts in the neck and can be associated with radiating pain down one or both of the arms. When diagnosed as non-specific neck pain, it is assumed that there are no underlying conditions such as fractures, spondylitis, direct trauma, or neoplastic, infectious, vascular, metabolic, or endocrinology-related processes that might cause pain. The diagnosis is based on the self-reported symptomatology of patients.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is defined as a type of degenerative joint disease that results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. The diagnosis is made with reasonable certainty based on history and clinical examination, using radiographic imaging.

References

1. Health Interview Survey, Sciensano, 1997-2018. https://his.wiv-isp.be/

Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Non-communicable Diseases: Musculoskeletal disorders, Health Status Report, 15 Dec 2022, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.healthybelgium.be/en/health-status/non-communicable-diseases/musculoskeletal-disorders