Global, regional and national trends in the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis from 1990 to 2021: an age-period-cohort effect analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021
Authors' conclusion
RA incidence and prevalence have risen globally, while mortality has declined.
Study context
- Population
- Global, regional and national rheumatoid arthritis (RA) incidence, prevalence and mortality, 1990–2021, from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021
- Outcome
- Trends in age-standardised RA incidence, prevalence and mortality rates (per 100 000 population)
- Follow-up
- 1990 to 2021
Methodological detailsage-period-cohort model, global, regional and national levels
- Age-period-cohort model
- Global, regional and national levels
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Global age-standardised RA rates, 1990–2021
- Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) increased globally
- Age-standardised prevalence rate (ASPR) increased globally
- Age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) decreased globally
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Regional and national variation
- Low-middle sociodemographic index (SDI) region: most notable increases in incidence and prevalence; high SDI region: largest decline in mortality
- South-East Asia Region: most significant increases in incidence and prevalence; African Region: greatest mortality decline
- Ireland: highest ASIR and ASPR in 2021; Republic of Honduras: highest ASMR
Age, period and cohort effects
- Age effects peaked at 65-69 years for incidence and 80-84 years for prevalence; mortality risk increased with age
- Period effects: rising incidence and prevalence, declining mortality
- Younger birth cohorts: increasing incidence and prevalence risks, decreasing mortality risk
Original publication
Global, regional and national trends in the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis from 1990 to 2021: an age-period-cohort effect analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021. RMD Open. Published 12 April 2025. doi:10.
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