Musculoskeletal diseases, infections and vaccines: state of the art, research perspectives and educational needs

Musculoskeletal disorders are a significant public health burden concern, projected to increase in the coming decades, and will substantially contribute to the rising prevalence of functional impairment, frailty and disability in a growing global population. Since persons with musculoskeletal disorders tend to have immune dysfunction, inflammation or be taking immunosuppressive medication, prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in this group is particularly important. The European Interdisciplinary Council for Aging (EICA) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) jointly convened a 2-day in-person and virtual meeting on 26-27 September 2023, to review the state of the evidence on the link between musculoskeletal diseases, infections and vaccines. We present here the Executive Summary of the proceedings of this meeting. We review the importance of physical activity in preventing or mitigating both musculoskeletal diseases and risk of infection. We summarize current knowledge of the impact of common VPDs on the development and progression of musculoskeletal diseases, and the role of selected vaccines in preventing onset and worsening of frailty and disability in these individuals. This report summarizes the evidence presented at the two-day meeting, highlighting the need to raise awareness among scientists, healthcare professionals, decision-makers, civil society and the general public about the long-term sequelae of VPDs, with focus on the health status of older patients with musculoskeletal diseases.