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. 2024 Jun 13;21(2):514-525.
doi: 10.5114/aoms/190029. eCollection 2025.

Temporal trends in neck pain prevalence among adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 from 1990 to 2019

Fanyu Fu  1 , Bo Liu  2 , Hao Gu  1 , Long Chen  2 , Xiaoying Chen  2 , Jiangtao Xie  1 , Hengli Ye  3
Affiliations

Temporal trends in neck pain prevalence among adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 from 1990 to 2019

Fanyu Fu et al. Arch Med Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Neck pain is common among adolescents and young adults, affecting their health and well-being. However, research on its prevalence trends in this demographic is limited despite its global significance.

Material and methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study were used to analyze neck pain prevalence and trends among individuals aged 10 to 24 from 1990 to 2019. Temporal trends and regional differences were assessed using estimated annual percentage changes.

Results: Globally, the number of adolescents and young adults affected by neck pain increased from 11,594,119 cases in 1990 to 12,880,134 in 2019. Despite this increase, the prevalence rate stabilized, dropping from 74,850.57 per 100,000 individuals in 1990 to 69,178.4 per 100,000 in 2019, with an annual decrease of -0.28%. In 2019, prevalence rates for ages 10-14, 15-19, and 20-24 were 31,624.66, 69,189.45, and 109,351.52 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The regions with the highest prevalence rates in 2019 were Western Europe, high-income North America, and Southeast Asia, with rates of 1938.57, 1930.2, and 1021.37 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. Nationally, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Finland had the highest rates: 2,487.30, 2,442.03, and 2,336.94 cases per 100,000 individuals, respectively. Notably, regions with higher Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels tended to have higher prevalence rates of neck pain among adolescents and young adults, with variation by region and age group.

Conclusions: The study emphasizes the ongoing burden of neck pain among adolescents and young adults worldwide, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions to enhance public health outcomes in this group.

Keywords: Global Burden of Disease; adolescents; neck pain; prevalence; young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trends in neck pain prevalence in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years, 1990 to 2019. A – Prevalent cases of neck pain by sex. B – Prevalence rates of neck pain by sex. C – Prevalent cases of neck pain by age group. D – Prevalence rates of neck pain by age group
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regional differences in neck pain prevalence in adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years. A – Prevalent cases of neck pain by SDI regions. B – Prevalence rates of neck pain by SDI regions. C – Prevalence rates of neck pain in 2019 in low to high SDI and 21 GBD regions
Figure 3
Figure 3
The prevalence and number of patients with neck pain change in different countries and regions. A – Change in prevalence of neck pain in 204 countries from 1990 to 2019. B – Prevalence rates of neck pain in 204 countries in 2019
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation of EAPC, prevalence, and SDI of neck pain among adolescents and young adults. A – The correlation between EAPC and prevalence rates in 1990. B – The correlation between EAPC and SDI in 2019. C – Correlation of prevalence and SDI at the regional level. D – Correlation of prevalence and SDI at the national level
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