Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk of prevalent chronic diseases among a natural population cohort in Southern China, with the objective of providing evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and control of chronic diseases in this region. Methods Utilizing baseline data from a prospective cohort study on chronic diseases in a natural population of Southern China, a composite SES score was constructed using principal component analysis, incorporating educational attainment, occupational classification, and household income. Participants were subsequently categorized into high and low SES groups based on this score. Poisson regression analysis was employed to examine the association between SES and the prevalence of various chronic diseases. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to test for potential effect modification by gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status, and alcohol consumption. Results A total of 87 292 adults aged 25-89 years were included in the analysis, of whom 34 029 (39.0%) were male. The overall prevalence of having at least one of four common chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke) was 25.34%, accounting for 22 124 cases. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, no significant association was observed between SES and the composite prevalence of common chronic diseases, hypertension, diabetes, or coronary heart disease (all P>0.05). However, a significant inverse association was identified between SES and the prevalence of stroke (RR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.93). Stratified analyses revealed heterogeneous effect modification in the association between SES and various chronic diseases across different strata of gender, age, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. Conclusion Among adults in Southern China, socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with the prevalence of most common chronic diseases, with the exception of stroke, for which an inverse relationship was observed. The heterogeneity of the association between SES and chronic diseases across different subpopulations suggests that prevention and control strategies for chronic diseases should be tailored to the specific life-stage and behavioral characteristics of targeted groups.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of obesity and central obesity among residents of Changping District, Beijing, and to examine the association between nocturnal sleep duration and these conditions. Methods Data were derived from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2023, employing a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method to survey permanent residents aged 18-79 in Changping District. The χ² test and the χ² test for trend were utilized for inter-group comparisons. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the association between nocturnal sleep duration and the odds of obesity and central obesity, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results A total of 3 503 participants were included in the final analysis. The crude prevalence of obesity was 24.9% (n=871), with a standardized rate of 25.0%, while the crude prevalence of central obesity was 45.0% (n=1 577), with a standardized rate of 43.9%. Statistically significant differences were observed in the prevalence of both conditions across groups with varying nocturnal sleep durations (all P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that individuals with a nocturnal sleep duration of less than 7 hours had significantly higher odds of obesity (OR=1.328) and central obesity (OR=1.470) compared to the reference group sleeping 7-8 hours. Conversely, a sleep duration of more than 8 hours was associated with a reduced likelihood of obesity (OR=0.801). Conclusion Insufficient nocturnal sleep duration (<7 hours) is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of both general and central obesity among the adult population in Changping District, Beijing. Public health interventions should therefore emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate sleep duration as a potential strategy to mitigate the high rates of obesity.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and temporal trends of acute hepatitis B in Foshan, China, from 2005 to 2024, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for its prevention and control. Methods A descriptive epidemiological approach was employed to analyze reported cases of acute hepatitis B in Foshan City from 2005 to 2024. The Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) was utilized to delineate the temporal trends in incidence across different districts of the city. Furthermore, an Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model was applied to dissect the independent effects of age, period, and birth cohort on the incidence patterns of acute hepatitis B. Results Between 2005 and 2024, a total of 10 079 cases of acute hepatitis B were reported in Foshan, corresponding to an average annual incidence of 6.79 per 100 000 population. A significant downward trend in incidence was observed, decreasing from 18.73 per 100 000 in 2005 to 0.53 per 100 000 in 2024, which represents a 97.17% reduction. The Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) was -21.27% (95% CI: -24.60% to -17.79%). All districts exhibited a significant, albeit fluctuating, decline in incidence rates, with the Nanhai district showing the most rapid decrease (EAPC=-24.21%), while the Gaoming district experienced a more gradual decline (EAPC=-12.02%). The incidence rate among the population under 15 years of age consistently remained at a low level. The most substantial decrease was observed in the 15 to <30 years age group for both males (99.84%) and females (99.71%). The Age-Period-Cohort (APC) analysis revealed that the age effect on acute hepatitis B incidence peaked in the 24 to <30 age group for males and the 20 to <25 age group for females, with rates increasing by 21.23/100 000 and 9.06/100 000, respectively, compared to the reference age group. The period effect indicated a consistent downward trend in incidence. The cohort effect was most pronounced for the 1980-1984 birth cohort for both males and females, with incidence rates increasing by 21.79/100 000 and 9.02/100 000, respectively, relative to the reference cohort. Conclusion The incidence of acute hepatitis B in Foshan demonstrated a significant declining trend from 2005 to 2024, with rates among the population aged under 15 years remaining consistently low. This substantial public health achievement can be attributed to the integration of the hepatitis B vaccine into the National Immunization Program in 2002, complemented by subsequent catch-up vaccination campaigns and comprehensive strategies for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Objective To analyze the mortality trends of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) in Baiyin City from 2010 to 2024 and to evaluate the effects of age, period, and cohort on CCVDs mortality. Methods Based on mortality data for CCVDs from Baiyin City, Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to examine the trends in crude mortality rate, age-standardized mortality rate, and the proportion of deaths attributable to CCVDs. An Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model was utilized to estimate the age, period, and cohort effects on the crude mortality rate of CCVDs. Results From 2010 to 2024, the overall trends in both the crude and age-standardized mortality rates for CCVDs in the total population of Baiyin City showed no statistically significant changes (both P>0.05). However, the proportional mortality of CCVDs exhibited a significant upward trend (AAPC: 1.12%, 95% CI: 0.57%-1.66%, P<0.01). The age effect indicated that the crude mortality rate increased with advancing age, was higher in males than in females, and accelerated after the age of 65. The period effect revealed that, relative to the 2015-2019 period (RR=1), the mortality risk was highest during the 2010-2014 period (RR for the total population: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.15-1.66). The cohort effect demonstrated a general decreasing trend in mortality risk for more recent birth cohorts, a decline that was particularly pronounced among females (RR for the 1975 birth cohort: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20-1.03). Conclusion Over the period of 2010-2024, the mortality rate of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Baiyin City has stabilized. Nevertheless, the proportion of deaths due to CCVDs is on a significant rise. The analysis from the Age-Period-Cohort model suggests that CCVDs warrant continued and focused public health attention in the future.

Objective To investigate the modifiable environmental factors and social determinants of post-Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) pulmonary dysfunction in preschool and school-aged children, and to develop a risk stratification model and corresponding screening strategy. Methods This prospective cohort study consecutively enrolled 1 594 pediatric patients diagnosed with MPP between February 2024 and February 2025. Participants were recruited from a tertiary pediatric specialty hospital, the pediatric department of a secondary general hospital, and two community health service centers. Data on clinical characteristics, modifiable environmental factors, and social determinants were systematically collected. The primary outcome was the presence of pulmonary function abnormalities at six months post-clinical resolution. Three nested logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the incremental predictive value of the collected factors. A nomogram was subsequently developed for risk stratification. The public health utility of the model was assessed using decision curve analysis (DCA) and cost-effectiveness analysis. Results The overall incidence of post-MPP pulmonary function abnormality was 28.7%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several independent risk factors: radiological involvement of ≥2 lobes, a febrile duration exceeding 7 days, absence of systemic corticosteroid therapy, significant secondhand smoke exposure, poor follow-up adherence, low parental educational attainment, and coverage by the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS). The full model (Model 3) demonstrated superior predictive performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.846, compared to Model 1 (clinical factors only; AUC=0.819) and Model 2 (clinical and environmental factors; AUC=0.835). The incidence of pulmonary dysfunction was 47.6% in the high-risk stratum versus 9.6% in the low-risk stratum. Compared with universal screening, the model-guided screening strategy yielded a cost saving of 260 RMB per case of abnormality detected. Furthermore, the cohort with pulmonary function abnormalities exhibited significantly lower quality of life scores, prolonged recovery periods, and a higher incidence of recurrent respiratory tract infections (all P<0.001). Conclusion The inclusion of modifiable environmental factors and social determinants significantly enhances the predictive efficacy for pulmonary dysfunction following MPP in children. The developed risk stratification model demonstrates robust discrimination and calibration. In conjunction with the cost-effectiveness analysis, these findings provide a solid evidence-based foundation for the formulation of regional pediatric respiratory health management strategies.

Objective To investigate the correlation between physician workload and patient satisfaction with physician-patient communication in a secondary maternal and child specialty hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2025, enrolling 50 outpatient physicians and 250 matched patients at the Jiading District Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shanghai. Physician workload was assessed using the Chinese version of the NASA Task Load Index (C-NASA-TLX) alongside objective indicators. Patient satisfaction with communication was evaluated using the Doctor-Patient Communication Quality (DPCQ) scale. Statistical analyses included Spearman's correlation, multiple linear regression, and stratified analysis. Results The mean total score for the physicians' C-NASA-TLX was 68.60±12.56, and the mean total score for the patients' DPCQ was 43.49±6.14. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between the DPCQ total score and the C-NASA-TLX total score (r_s = -0.466), weekly working hours (r_s = -0.337), monthly frequency of night shifts (r_s = -0.240), and average daily outpatient volume (r_s = -0.161) (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding variables in the multiple linear regression model, each 10-point increase in the C-NASA-TLX total score was associated with a 0.186-point decrease in the DPCQ score (β = -0.186, P < 0.05). Physician's professional title and the stage of the patient's consultation were also identified as independent influencing factors. Stratified analysis indicated that the negative correlation was more pronounced among junior-title physicians (r = -0.406, P < 0.01) than among those with intermediate (r = -0.313, P < 0.05) or senior professional titles (r = -0.321, P < 0.05). Conclusion Physician workload is negatively correlated with patient satisfaction in physician-patient communication, an association that is particularly prominent among junior-title physicians. These findings underscore the need for optimizing resource allocation to alleviate physician workload and consequently enhance the quality of communication.

Objective To investigate the status of and factors associated with preventive therapy adherence among household close contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods A stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select household close contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University between March 2022 and January 2025. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic characteristics, reception of health education, and knowledge of tuberculosis. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was utilized to assess anxiety and depression, the Adult Health Self-Management Ability Scale was used to evaluate self-management skills, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was employed to measure adherence to preventive therapy. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors of preventive therapy adherence. Results A total of 236 household close contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis were included in this study. Among them, 62 individuals exhibited insufficient adherence to preventive therapy (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale score <6), while 174 demonstrated good adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale score ≥6). The proportion of individuals with an education level of junior high school or below, a history of BCG vaccination, an annual household income of less than 50 000 yuan, anxiety or depression, no reception of health education, and a lack of tuberculosis knowledge was significantly higher in the group with insufficient adherence compared to the group with good adherence. Furthermore, self-management ability was lower in the insufficient adherence group (all P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed that an education level of junior high school or below (OR=4.792), not receiving health education (OR=3.307), and the presence of anxiety or depression (OR=4.679) were risk factors for insufficient adherence to preventive therapy among household close contacts. Conversely, self-management ability (OR=0.230) was identified as a protective factor for adherence (all P<0.05). Conclusion A notable proportion of household close contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis demonstrates insufficient adherence to preventive therapy. Adherence is significantly associated with educational level, the presence of anxiety or depression, reception of health education, and self-management ability.

Objective To investigate the associated risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children aged 2 to 6 years. Methods A multi-stage, stratified, cluster random sampling method was employed to select participants from seven communities and seven kindergartens. A final cohort of 1 895 children and their parents was recruited through simple random sampling from the combined lists. Data on the children and their parents, as well as early developmental and behavioral characteristics of the children, were collected via questionnaires. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was utilized to characterize the study population. Univariate and multivariate analyses were subsequently conducted to identify factors associated with the detection of ASD. Results Among the 1 810 children who completed the survey, 109 were preliminarily identified with ASD, of whom 54 received a definitive diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of ASD in children aged 2 to 6 years (all P<0.05). These risk factors included preterm birth (OR=1.670), maternal age at childbirth ≥30 years (OR=1.517), maternal anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy (OR=1.680), maternal history of occupational exposure to toxic substances (OR=2.784), frequent maternal use of electronic devices during pregnancy (OR=2.252), and average daily screen time of the child exceeding 2 hours (OR=1.982). Conclusion Preterm birth, advanced maternal age (≥30 years), maternal perinatal anxiety or depression, maternal occupational toxicant exposure, frequent maternal use of electronic devices during gestation, and excessive daily screen time (>2 hours) in early childhood are significant risk factors for ASD in children aged 2 to 6 years. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted preventive and intervention strategies addressing these modifiable risk factors.

Objective To investigate the latent classes of workload among outpatient physicians in the Beijing and to identify the associated influencing factors. Methods A convenience sampling method was employed from March to April 2025 to select outpatient physicians from three hospitals in Beijing. Data concerning demographic characteristics and workload were collected. Latent class analysis was performed using Mplus 8.3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the influencing factors associated with high workload. Results A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, with 367 valid responses received, yielding a valid response rate of 91.75%. The workload of outpatient physicians was categorized into three distinct classes: a low-load group (n=61, 16.62%), a medium-load group (n=107, 29.16%), and a high-load group (n=199, 54.22%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors were significant predictors of high workload (all P<0.05), including affiliation with a Grade A Class III hospital (OR=3.637), age <30 years (OR=2.343), age 30 to <40 years (OR=1.848), poor self-rated health status (OR=3.739), junior professional title (OR=2.306), intermediate professional title (OR=1.903), practicing in internal medicine (OR=3.333), surgery (OR=3.500), or pediatrics (OR=3.596), weekly outpatient hours ≥16 (OR=2.391), dissatisfaction with outpatient scheduling (OR=1.774), and positive screening for occupational burnout (OR=3.640). Conclusion A substantial proportion of outpatient physicians in the Beijing region experience a high workload. The primary determinants for workload stratification include hospital grade, age, department type, professional title, weekly outpatient duration, self-rated health, satisfaction with outpatient scheduling, and occupational burnout.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association between the cumulative number of cardiometabolic diseases and the Frailty Index (FI) among middle-aged and older adults, and to examine the effect modification of this association by urban-rural residency, based on data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Methods We included participants aged 45 years and older with complete data. The exposure variable was the cumulative number of prevalent cardiometabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke), categorized as 0, 1, 2, or ≥3. The presence of two or more of these conditions was defined as cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM). The outcome, frailty, was assessed using a Frailty Index (FI) constructed based on the Rockwood model, with frailty defined as FI ≥ 0.25. The analysis employed weighted linear and logistic regression models, stratified analyses, Bootstrap methods, and models with interaction terms. Results A total of 10 842 participants were included in the analysis. Weighted linear regression demonstrated a positive dose-response relationship between the cumulative number of cardiometabolic diseases and the FI (P <0.05). Stratified analyses by residency showed that while the cumulative number of diseases was associated with an elevated FI in both urban and rural populations, the strength of this association was more pronounced in the rural subgroup. Furthermore, weighted logistic regression revealed that CMM was associated with an increased risk of frailty, with the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) being higher for rural residents compared to their urban counterparts. Interaction analysis confirmed a statistically significant interaction (P <0.05) between the cumulative number of diseases and urban-rural residency. These findings remained consistent across a series of sensitivity analyses, which included altering the threshold for missing items in the FI calculation, excluding cases of stroke or heart disease, removing overlapping items between the FI and disease count, and applying propensity score weighting. Conclusion The accumulation of cardiometabolic diseases is significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty among middle-aged and older adults. This health detriment is more pronounced in rural populations. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive assessments of CMM, enhanced frailty screening, and the development of differentiated intervention strategies tailored to urban and rural contexts.

Objective To investigate the positive rate of carotid artery ultrasound screening and its associated influencing factors among a high-risk population for stroke. Methods Between January and December 2025, a cohort of individuals at high risk for stroke was recruited from community health service centers, primary healthcare facilities, and hospital physical examination centers. All participants underwent carotid artery ultrasound. Data pertaining to demographics, lifestyle, and medical history were systematically collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the determinants of positive ultrasound screening results. Results A total of 1 259 participants were enrolled, of whom 668 (52.47%) exhibited positive ultrasound findings. Among these, increased intima-media thickness (IMT) was observed in 480 cases (38.13%), carotid plaque was detected in 412 cases (32.72%), and carotid artery stenosis was identified in 96 cases (7.62%). Of the 412 cases with plaque, 152 were categorized as soft plaques, 177 as hard plaques, and 83 as mixed plaques. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (40 to <60 years, OR=3.320; ≥60 years, OR=4.793), smoking history (former smoker, OR=1.498; current smoker, OR=2.641), alcohol consumption (≤15 g/day, OR=1.845; >15 g/day, OR=1.913), insufficient physical activity (OR=1.536), high sodium intake (OR=1.801), hypertension (OR=1.550), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.406), dyslipidemia (OR=1.977), a history of stroke (OR=1.690), Body Mass Index (BMI) (OR=1.095), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (OR=1.648), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR=2.411), and Homocysteine (Hcy) (OR=1.181) were all significant positive influencing factors (all P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of positive findings via carotid artery ultrasound is substantial within the high-risk population for stroke. Advanced age, smoking, alcohol consumption, inadequate physical activity, a high-salt diet, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, a prior history of stroke, elevated BMI, and increased levels of HbA1c, LDL-C, and Hcy are identified as significant risk factors for positive carotid ultrasound findings.

Objective To investigate the association between cardiovascular health (CVH) behaviors and the total burden of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in middle-aged and elderly patients in the Panzhihua region. Methods A cohort of stable middle-aged and elderly patients with CSVD, who were followed up at the neurology outpatient clinic of Panzhihua Second People's Hospital between January 2024 and December 2025, was selected for this study. All participants underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging to assess the total CSVD burden score. Based on this score, patients were categorized into a low-to-moderate burden group (0-2 points) and a severe burden group (3-4 points). Cardiovascular Health (CVH) scores were evaluated for all participants. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the association between CVH scores and the risk of total CSVD burden in this patient population. Results The final analysis included 826 middle-aged and elderly patients with CSVD, of whom 506 were in the low-to-moderate burden group and 320 were in the severe burden group. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, history of coronary heart disease, and history of stroke, logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking status (OR=0.368), sleep quality (OR=0.298), lipid levels (OR=0.256), blood glucose levels (OR=0.375), and blood pressure control (OR=0.279) were significantly associated with the total CSVD burden. Compared to the low CVH subgroup, the risks of severe CSVD burden were substantially lower in the medium and high CVH subgroups. Furthermore, a trend test indicated that as the CVH score increased, the risk of severe CSVD burden progressively decreased (P for trend <0.01). Conclusion In the middle-aged and elderly CSVD population of the Panzhihua region, there is a negative correlation between the CVH score and the total CSVD burden. A lower CVH score is associated with a higher total burden of the disease, suggesting that the CVH score is an independent factor influencing the total CSVD burden. These findings indicate that maintaining good cardiovascular health is beneficial for reducing the total burden of CSVD.

Objective To investigate the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the detection rate of colorectal polyps. Methods A total of 570 individuals undergoing colonoscopy were enrolled and allocated into a polyp group and a control group. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, χ² tests, logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline analysis. Results The polyp group exhibited significantly higher values than the control group (P <0.05) in terms of age, proportion of males, proportion of individuals with a BMI >24 kg/m², proportion with a history of smoking, proportion with no history of NSAID use, and DII score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that for each unit increase in the DII, the odds ratio (OR) for polyp detection was 1.644 (95% CI: 1.433-1.886). When participants were categorized by DII quartiles (Q1-Q4), the OR for the highest quartile (Q4) versus the lowest quartile (Q1) was 7.470 (95% CI: 4.501-12.399). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the OR (Q4 vs Q1) was 9.706 in males and 6.961 in females; 6.765 in the BMI ≤ 24 kg/m² group and 8.693 in the BMI >24 kg/m² group; 6.222 for smoking histories of 0 to <10 pack-years, 8.653 for 10 to <30 pack-years, and 20.648 for ≥30 pack-years; and 7.962 for those with a history of NSAID use versus 9.750 for those without. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a positive linear dose-response relationship (P<0.01). Conclusion The DII is positively associated with the detection rate of colorectal polyps. This association is stronger in populations who are male, have a BMI >24 kg/m², have a longer history of pack-years of smoking, or have no history of NSAID use.