Researchers have predicted that some musculoskeletal disorders may increase by twofold over the next 30 years, according to an article published in Newsweek. They noted that musculoskeletal disorders impacting the joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and spine can be caused by injury, repetitive strain, poor posture, aging, and genetics. In 2020, musculoskeletal disorders affected about 494 million patients. In a new study published by Gill et al in The Lancet Rheumatology, investigators examined population and health insurance claims data across 204 countries and territories to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders—including conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis and excluding osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, low back pain, and neck pain—and years lived with disability. They projected that up to 1.06 billion patients may be diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders by 2050 and that more female patients than male patients may be affected. The new findings represent a significant need to improve musculoskeletal health policies, as well as enhance disease prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment options in this patient population.