[Analysis on occupational exposure to dust and harmful gas and corresponding protection in adults aged 40 years and older in China, 2014]

The Burden of COPD in China and Its Provinces: Findings From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

In China, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was accounted for a quarter of the global COPD population and has become a large economic burden. However, the comprehensive picture of the COPD burden, which could inform health policy, is not readily available for all of the provinces of China. Here, we aimed to describe the burden of COPD in China, providing an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis at the national and provincial levels, and time trends from 1990 to 2019. Following the methodology framework and general analytical strategies used in the GBD 2019, we analyzed the incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years with life lost (YLLs) attributable to COPD across China and the corresponding time trends from 1990 to 2019, stratified by age and province. In order to quantify the secular trends of the burden of COPD, the estimated annual percentage changes were calculated by the linear regression model of age-standardized rates (ASRs) and calendar years. We also presented the contribution of risk factors to COPD-related mortality and DALYs. The association between COPD burden and socio-demographic index (SDI) were also evaluated. From 1990 to 2019, the incidence and prevalence numbers of COPD increased by 61.2 and 67.8%, respectively, whereas the number of deaths and DALYs owing to COPD decreased. The ASRs of COPD burden, including incidence, prevalence, mortality, DALYs, YLDs, and YLLs continuously decreased from 1990 to 2019. The crude rates of COPD burden dramatically increased with age and reached a peak in the older than 95 years age group. In 2019, the leading risk factor for COPD mortality and DALYs was tobacco use in the whole population, but ambient particulate matter pollution was the most significant risk factor in females. At the provincial level, the ASRs of COPD burden was significantly associated with the SDIs, with the highest ASRs in the western provinces with low SDIs. Collectively, our study indicated that COPD remains an important public health problem in China. Geographically targeted considerations should be developed to enhance COPD health and reduce the COPD burden throughout China and in specific provinces.

Current status and preventive strategies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a literature review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease that seriously threatens human health and wellbeing, thereby representing an important public health problem. At present, it is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and is estimated to become the third greatest cause of death by 2030. In China, the prevalence of COPD is increasing, secondary to an increase in smoking, air pollution and an aging population, resulting in a current the mortality of COPD in China which is higher than the global average. Moreover, the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate of COPD in China is still relatively high, with an associated heavy economic burden to patients, their families and society. Unfortunately, current measures for treatment and prevention of COPD in China are not optimal. This primarily results from limited public awareness of COPD and pulmonary function tests amongst residents of China, and the generally poor disease-specific knowledge of primary care doctors. In recent years, a series of preventative strategies have been introduced in China across at the level of national policy, societies and associations, and scientific research. This review focuses upon both the epidemiology of COPD and the current status of preventative and treatment strategies in China.

Characteristics and Trends of Pneumoconiosis in the Jiangsu Province, China, 2006⁻2017

This study aims to describe the characteristics and trends of pneumoconiosis in the Jiangsu Province, China, and provide information for the occupational diseases control. We collected and analyzed the data of pneumoconiosis cases reported annually from 2006 to 2017. The information of the cases mainly includes case distributions, clinical types and stages, enterprise types and scales, as well as diagnosis age and exposure duration. A total of 9243 pneumoconiosis cases were reported between 2006 and 2017, among which silicosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis accounted for the vast majority (87.5%). The incidence of pneumoconiosis was relatively higher in Wuxi, Yancheng, Suzhou and Xuzhou, compared to the other district. Most pneumoconiosis cases occurred in the state-owned (58.4%) and collective enterprises (23.8%). Most cases worked in industries related to geology and coal production. The median exposure duration and diagnosis age of the total pneumoconiosis cases was 13.2 and 61.0 years, respectively. Therefore, more measurements are needed to control pneumoconiosis in the Jiangsu Province.