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This page presents information about trends in indicators related to musculoskeletal health.

Table of contents

Long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence

Persons, 16+ years

Time period South East Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2018 17.6 17.4 17.8 18.8
2019 17.6 17.3 17.8 18.8
2020 17.1 16.8 17.3 18.3
2021 16.0 15.8 16.2 17.0
2022 16.4 16.2 16.7 17.6
2023 17.4 17.2 17.6 18.4

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence data.

View the long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence definition.

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Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (based on GP Patient Survey data)

The line chart shows the percentage of people aged 16 and over who report long-term arthritis or ongoing problem with back or joints. The proportion in the South East changed from 17.6% in 2018 to 17.4% in 2023.


Emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over

Persons, 65+ years

Time period South East Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2010/11 618 606 631 615
2011/12 608 596 620 612
2012/13 584 572 596 600
2013/14 617 605 629 616
2014/15 585 574 597 601
2015/16 566 554 577 593
2016/17 565 554 576 580
2017/18 564 553 575 584
2018/19 524 513 534 566
2019/20 560 550 571 581
2020/21 518 508 528 539
2021/22 536 526 547 551
2022/23 509 499 519 558

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over data.

View the emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over definition.

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Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities using NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid year population estimates

The line chart shows the rate of emergency hospital admissions for fractured neck of femur in people aged 65 and over. The directly standardised rate in the South East decreased from 618 per 100,000 in the financial year ending 2011 to 509 per 100,000 in the financial year ending 2023.


Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence (age 16 and over)

Persons, 16+ years

Time period South East Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2013/14 0.69 0.69 0.70 0.73
2014/15 0.69 0.68 0.70 0.73
2015/16 0.70 0.70 0.71 0.73
2016/17 0.71 0.70 0.72 0.74
2017/18 0.73 0.72 0.73 0.75
2018/19 0.74 0.73 0.75 0.76
2019/20 0.75 0.75 0.76 0.77
2020/21 0.76 0.76 0.77 0.77
2021/22 0.77 0.76 0.77 0.77
2022/23 0.77 0.76 0.77 0.76
2023/24 0.78 0.78 0.79 0.77

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View rheumatoid arthritis prevalence (age 16 and over) data.

View the rheumatoid arthritis prevalence (age 16 and over) definition.

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Source: Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), NHS England

The line chart shows the percentage of patients aged 16 and over with rheumatoid arthritis recorded on practice disease register. The crude rate in the South East increased from 0.69% in the financial year ending 2014 to 0.78% in the financial year ending 2024.


Osteoporosis prevalence (age 50 and over)

Persons, 50+ years

Time period South East Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2012/13 0.24 0.24 0.25 0.25
2013/14 0.42 0.41 0.42 0.40
2014/15 0.18 0.17 0.18 0.17
2015/16 0.36 0.36 0.37 0.31
2016/17 0.53 0.52 0.54 0.47
2017/18 0.71 0.70 0.72 0.62
2018/19 0.92 0.91 0.93 0.79
2019/20 1.04 1.03 1.05 0.85
2020/21 0.99 0.98 1.00 0.76
2021/22 1.12 1.11 1.13 0.85
2022/23 1.25 1.24 1.26 0.97
2023/24 1.36 1.35 1.37 1.10

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View osteoporosis prevalence (age 50 and over) data.

View the osteoporosis prevalence (age 50 and over) definition.

Visit the musculoskeletal health: local profiles on Fingertips for more information on musculoskeletal health.

Source: Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), NHS England

The line chart shows the percentage of patients aged 50 and over with osteoporosis recorded on practice disease register. The crude rate in the South East increased from 0.24% in the financial year ending 2013 to 1.36% in the financial year ending 2024.