Chandigarh, April 25, 2026 – On the occasion of Rheumatological Diseases Awareness Month, medical experts at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) have raised an alarm over the rising burden of musculoskeletal disorders in India, revealing that nearly 25–30% of the population is currently affected.
A Growing Public Health Crisis
Speaking at a media briefing, Prof. Aman Sharma, President of the Indian Rheumatology Association, highlighted that these diseases are among the top 25 causes of disability in the country. Most concerning is that the highest burden of disability is seen in the 25–49 age group, the nation’s most economically productive segment.
“Statistics show that one-fifth of those affected experience significant disability. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis specifically, nearly 37% of patients suffer functional impairment,” Prof. Sharma noted.
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