| Objective To analyze the burden and trend prediction of musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases in China from 1990 to 2021. Methods Based on the global disease burden database GBD 2021, Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the time trend of MSK disease burden indicators. ARIMA prediction model was used to predict the trend of MSK disease burden from 2022 to 2035. Results In 2021, the number of new cases of MSK disease in China was 68.646 million [95% UI (6197.60-7499.00)], an increase of 63.44% compared to 1990. Among them, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain, and gout increased by 94.48%, 150.36%, 45.34%, 66.21%, and 160.49%, respectively. Results of Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neck pain, gout showed an upward trend from 1990 to 2021. The age standardized DALY rate (ASDR) for osteoarthritis, neck pain, and gout was on the rise. Lower back pain ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR showed a decreasing trend. The DALY of MSK was mainly enriched in the middle-aged and elderly population aged 30-84, and the burden of MSK disease was higher in females than in males. The burden of osteoarthritis, lower back pain, gout, and total MSK disease attributed to high BMI risk factors showed a continuous upward trend from 1990 to 2021 (all AAPC>0, P<0.05). The ARIMA prediction model predicted that from 2022 to 2035, the ASIR of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, and total MSK diseases would increase, while the ASIR of gout would decrease. Conclusion From 1990 to 2021, the overall burden of MSK disease in China shows a downward trend, but rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neck pain, and gout still shows an upward trend. The older the age, the heavier the burden of MSK disease. The overall burden of MSK disease is higher in females than in males, and the burden of gout disease is higher in males than in females. In the future, with changes in society and population structure, the ASIR of MSK disease may show an upward trend. |