High prevalence and burden of osteoarthritis in China

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and important cause of increasing health burden among older populations. To date, most population-based epidemiological observational studies of osteoarthritis have been done in North American and European countries,

while there is a paucity of data on the prevalence and incidence of osteoarthritis, as well as its potential health and economic effects, in China. Thus, the development of evidence-based preventive and treatment strategies for this disabling disease has been challenging.