New Delhi: A new AI-powered global study has revealed that the increasing number of elderly individuals and the prevalence of smoking are major contributors to the growing burden of rheumatoid arthritis worldwide.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that predominantly targets the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. The research, recently published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, presents a comprehensive look at how the disease has evolved over the past four decades.
The study highlights how demographic shifts, particularly population ageing, combined with smoking habits, have intensified the disease burden since 1980. Researchers utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, covering 953 regions globally between 1980 and 2021, and employed a deep learning model to analyze long-term patterns.
According to the findings, the global impact of rheumatoid arthritis has steadily increased, with younger populations and more diverse geographic regions now being affected. The disparity in disease burden has also widened, with disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) linked to rheumatoid arthritis increasing by over 62% since 1990. Countries such as Finland, Ireland, and New Zealand were among the most affected by these inequalities in 2021.
Interestingly, the study notes that economic development alone doesn’t determine disease outcomes. While high socio-demographic index (SDI) regions like Japan and the UK show differing trends, Japan’s declining DALY rates could be attributed to early detection efforts, widespread use of biologics, and a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods.
Looking ahead, the researchers, led by Queran Lin from Imperial College London, warn that lower-middle SDI regions may see a continued rise in DALYs due to ageing and population growth by 2040, whereas wealthier regions may see a decline due to better healthcare systems and early intervention strategies.