Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 54 9 2025 10 03 1883 1893 Youngoh Bae 1. Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea 2. Korean Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, 13487, Republic of Korea Suho Jang Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea Woonyoung Jeong Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea Jisoo Tak Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea Seung Won Lee 1. Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea 2. Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, 03181, Republic of Korea 2025 03 30 2025 06 07 Background: Comprehensive and updated data on the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability rates of musculoskeletal (MSK) and headache disorders in Asia are scarce. We aimed to analyze the trends in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to these disorders from 1990 to 2021. Methods: We assessed the burden of MSK and headache disorders across Asia utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease study. We evaluated the trends in DALYs, mortality, incidence, and prevalence and their changes over time. Correlations with the sociodemographic index were examined to determine potential influencing factors. Results: In 2021, MSK and headache disorders accounted for 120 million DALYs (95% uncertainty interval: 72.5–182.3 million), reflecting a 94% increase since 1990. Furthermore, mortality increased by 138% over the same period. Lower back pain was the leading contributor to DALYs (36.9 million), followed by migraine (25.4 million) and knee osteoarthritis (7.4 million). From 1990 to 2021, DALYs due to osteoarthritis and gout increased by 15% and 170%, respectively. DALYs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remained stable, although RA-related mortality increased by 117%. Age-standardized rates exhibited minimal variation, with the highest burden observed in individuals aged 50–54 years and a higher prevalence among females. Conclusion: MSK and headache disorders were leading causes of disability in Asia, with significant increments in both DALYs and mortality over the past three decades. These trends underscore the urgent need for targeted prevention and management strategies, particularly for high-burden conditions like lower back pain, migraine, and osteoarthritis. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/38659 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/38659/8645