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Prevalence and types of lower limb conditions in Nepal

Gates, Lucy ; Channon, Amos R. ; Dickinson, Alex ; Pandey, Basu D. ; Vaidya, Abhinav ; Vaidya, Binit ; Niraula, Yeti Raj ; Baskotah, Rabindra ; Nakarmi, Shweta and Metcalf, Cheryl , et al. (2026) In Journal of Global Health 16.
Abstract

Background Lower limb conditions (LLCs) are a major cause of pain, disability, and loss of livelihood globally, yet their prevalence and functional impacts in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal, remain poorly described. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based survey in three Nepali districts representing plains, hills, and mountains. Of 2525 screened households, the first 500 adults with self-selected LLCs were interviewed using structured questionnaires adapted from validated tools (Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, COPCORD, Washington Group, WHODAS 2.0). Descriptive statistics summarised condition type, pain location, activity limitations, employment impact, and comorbidities. χ2... (More)

Background Lower limb conditions (LLCs) are a major cause of pain, disability, and loss of livelihood globally, yet their prevalence and functional impacts in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal, remain poorly described. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based survey in three Nepali districts representing plains, hills, and mountains. Of 2525 screened households, the first 500 adults with self-selected LLCs were interviewed using structured questionnaires adapted from validated tools (Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, COPCORD, Washington Group, WHODAS 2.0). Descriptive statistics summarised condition type, pain location, activity limitations, employment impact, and comorbidities. χ2 tests assessed regional differences in condition types. Results Of 2525 households, 671 (26.6%, 95% CI=24.9–28.3) reported a member with an LLC; 11.2% (95% CI=10.5–12.0) of adults were affected. Among 500 participants surveyed (mean age 57 years; 65% female), pain/discomfort was most common (97%), mainly in the knee (74%) and foot/ ankle (48%). Across participants, 628 LLCs were reported; conditions included injury/trauma (19%), deformity (7%), wounds (1%), and amputation (<1%). Prevalence varied by district. Functional limitations were substantial: 82% with pain and all with amputation reported severe activity restriction. Ten percent were unemployed, mostly due to health, and >70% of those doing household work had left other jobs because of their LLC. Conclusions This study offers preliminary, population-based estimates of person-reported LLCs across three ecological zones in Nepal. Musculoskeletal pain was most common, often multi-site and substantially limiting daily activities and employment. While findings highlight the impact of LLCs on well-being and livelihoods, they remain exploratory due to limited geographic scope and self-reporting. Larger, nationally representative studies are needed to confirm these results, differentiate chronic from transient pain, and guide rehabilitation and prevention strategies.

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publication status
published
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in
Journal of Global Health
volume
16
article number
04098
publisher
Edinburgh University Global Health Society
external identifiers
  • pmid:42059016
  • scopus:105037562203
ISSN
2047-2978
DOI
10.7189/jogh.16.04098
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6790d651-37da-475c-bad1-08a461f8cbc8
date added to LUP
2026-08-17 10:44:00
date last changed
2026-08-31 11:39:53
@article{6790d651-37da-475c-bad1-08a461f8cbc8,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background Lower limb conditions (LLCs) are a major cause of pain, disability, and loss of livelihood globally, yet their prevalence and functional impacts in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal, remain poorly described. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based survey in three Nepali districts representing plains, hills, and mountains. Of 2525 screened households, the first 500 adults with self-selected LLCs were interviewed using structured questionnaires adapted from validated tools (Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, COPCORD, Washington Group, WHODAS 2.0). Descriptive statistics summarised condition type, pain location, activity limitations, employment impact, and comorbidities. χ<sup>2</sup> tests assessed regional differences in condition types. Results Of 2525 households, 671 (26.6%, 95% CI=24.9–28.3) reported a member with an LLC; 11.2% (95% CI=10.5–12.0) of adults were affected. Among 500 participants surveyed (mean age 57 years; 65% female), pain/discomfort was most common (97%), mainly in the knee (74%) and foot/ ankle (48%). Across participants, 628 LLCs were reported; conditions included injury/trauma (19%), deformity (7%), wounds (1%), and amputation (&lt;1%). Prevalence varied by district. Functional limitations were substantial: 82% with pain and all with amputation reported severe activity restriction. Ten percent were unemployed, mostly due to health, and &gt;70% of those doing household work had left other jobs because of their LLC. Conclusions This study offers preliminary, population-based estimates of person-reported LLCs across three ecological zones in Nepal. Musculoskeletal pain was most common, often multi-site and substantially limiting daily activities and employment. While findings highlight the impact of LLCs on well-being and livelihoods, they remain exploratory due to limited geographic scope and self-reporting. Larger, nationally representative studies are needed to confirm these results, differentiate chronic from transient pain, and guide rehabilitation and prevention strategies.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gates, Lucy and Channon, Amos R. and Dickinson, Alex and Pandey, Basu D. and Vaidya, Abhinav and Vaidya, Binit and Niraula, Yeti Raj and Baskotah, Rabindra and Nakarmi, Shweta and Metcalf, Cheryl and Ward, Kate and Silman, Alan and Woolf, Anthony and Puri, Mahesh C.}},
  issn         = {{2047-2978}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Edinburgh University Global Health Society}},
  series       = {{Journal of Global Health}},
  title        = {{Prevalence and types of lower limb conditions in Nepal}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.7189/jogh.16.04098}},
  doi          = {{10.7189/jogh.16.04098}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}