Area specific differences in lung function indices and prevalence of airflow obstruction in adults: findings from people in 10 areas in China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the area specific differences in lung function indices and prevalence of airflow obstruction (AFO) in adults found by China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study, involving 512 495 adults, in 10 areas in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The detailed information on lung function indices (FEV, and FVC) and prevalence of AFO (diagnosed according to GOLD and LLN criteria) of subjects aged 30-79 years were analyzed, those with abnormal lung function indices at baseline survey were excluded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The FEV1 and FVC among males (2.66 L, 3.16 L) were higher than those among females (1.99 L, 2.35 L). The FEV1 and FVC were highest in Henan and Harbin. The prevalence of AFO diaonosed according to GOLD criteria was 5.13% in males, higher than that in females (3.75%). The prevalence of AFO was higher in rural area than in urban area (males: 6.32% vs. 3.47%; females: 4.26% vs. 2.97%). The prevalence of AFO was highest in Sichuan (13.34% in males, 10.70% in females), followed by that in Suzhou, Henan and Hunan. The prevalence of AFO diagnosed according to LLN criteria (6.93% in males, 6.29% in females) was higher than that diagnosed according to GOLD criteria, but the area specific difference was similar.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lung function indices and the prevalence of AFO in adults varied greatly among the 10 areas covered by CKB study.</p>

Heritability of body mass index on Chinese adult twins from nine provinces/cities in China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the heritability of body mass index (BMI) in twins across different regions and genders in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 11 122 adult twin pairs from the Chinese National Twin Registry were interviewed. A structural equation model was used to estimate the heritability of BMI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This study included 6 226 monozygotic twin pairs and 4 896 dizygotic twin pairs, with the age range as 25-85 (39.0 ± 10.8) years. Under stratified analysis by region, results showed that the highest and lowest rates on heritability of BMI in men were seen in Tianjin and Zhejiang, as 67.8% (95% CI: 50.1%-85.8%) and 42.1% (95% CI: 27.2%-60.9%), while in women were seen in Sichuan and Heilongjiang as 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0.0%-31.7%), respectively. Results from the stratified analysis showed that, by gender, the heritability of BMI in men was higher than that in women from the same region. The biggest differences of heritability of BMI between men and women were seen in Heilongjiang as 55.3% (95% CI: 35.5%-80.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0-31.7%), while the smallest differences were seen in Sichuan as 61.5% (95% CI: 40.7%-86.4%) and 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The heritability of BMI across different regions and genders showed certain differences in the Chinese twins.</p>

Epidemiological and clinical features of norovirus infection among diarrhea patients from the enteric clinics in Beijing, 2013-2014 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of norovirus infection on diarrhea patients from the enteric clinics in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2013 to March 2014, 1 892 fecal specimens and related epidemiological information were collected among diarrhea patients visiting the enteric clinics in Beijing. Norovirus was detected by real time RT-PCR, and data was analyzed under the descriptive epidemiological method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 269 positive cases were found among 1 892 diarrhea patients, with a positive rate as 14.2%. Norovirus caused diarrhea mainly occurred in seasons with lower temperature. Higher positive rates of norovirus were found in northwest mountainous area. Norovirus diarrhea was more commonly seen in children between 6 month and 5 years old, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P = 0.006). Compared with other occupation, a higher infection rate was identified in children, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P = 0.025). Nausea and vomiting appeared more common in diarrhea patients with norovirus infection, with differences between the two groups statistically significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Norovirus was an important pathogen which causing diarrhea in patients visiting the enteric clinics in Beijing. The virus was seen more in patients aged between 6 months and 5 years old. Nausea and vomiting were the common symptoms seen in patients with norovirus diarrhea.</p>