Burden and trend of ischemic heart disease and colorectal cancer attributable to a diet low in fiber in China, 1990-2017: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

PURPOSE: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has increased in China. However, the contribution of dietary risks to the NCD burden has not been evaluated. This study aimed to estimate the burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) attributable to a diet low in fiber in China from 1990 to 2017. METHODS: China data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017 were used to assess the age-, sex-, and province-specific mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of IHD and CRC related to a diet low in fiber. RESULTS: In 2017, a diet low in fiber contributed 170,143 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 99,623-256,806] IHD deaths and 25,561 (95% UI: 13,726-39,215) CRC deaths, with the population attributable fractions (PAFs) were 9.7 and 13.7%, respectively. Males had higher risk-attributable mortality and DALY rates for IHD and CRC than females. An upward trend with age in rates of mortality and DALY was observed. All-age risk-attributable mortality and DALY rates increased significantly by 111.4 and 53.2% for IHD, and 94.4 and 59.6% for CRC from 1990 to 2017, respectively; however, the corresponding age-standardized rates for IHD and CRC showed relatively stable trends. Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia were ranked as the top three provinces in terms of total risk-attributable NCD burden in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: China has a large and growing NCD burden attributable to a diet low in fiber. Greater priority in disease prevention and control should be given to male and older adults throughout China, particularly in some western provinces.

Burden of viral hepatitis caused by specific aetiologies in China, 1990-2016: findings from the GBD 2016.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to quantify the burden caused by viral hepatitis in China from 1990 to 2016. METHODS: Data from the GBD 2016 study were extracted to calculate incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Trends in DALYs were assessed in 33 provinces/regions. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2016, the total incidence of hepatitis decreased by 88.5%. However, the prevalence of hepatitis (counts in thousands), increased by 37.6% from 153,856 (95% UI: 136,047-172,319) in 1990 to 211,721 (95% UI: 179,776-240,981) in 2016, with age-standardized prevalence rates changing slightly. The number and age-standardized rates of prevalence increased by 35.9 and 1.6% for hepatitis B, respectively, and by 81.8 and 30.4% for hepatitis C. Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan had the highest age-standardized prevalence rates (≥16,500 per 100,000). Tibet, Qinghai and Gansu had the highest age-standardized DALYs rates (≥40 per 100,000). The largest absolute number of DALYs was observed in the 15-49 year age group in 2016. The highest rate of DALYs occurred in males aged 50-69 years and in females aged ≧70 years. CONCLUSION: The incidence and DALYs of viral hepatitis decreased dramatically from 1990 to 2016. However, the prevalence still remains at a high level, which may result in heavy burdens in the future.

Burden of Cirrhosis and Other Chronic Liver Diseases Caused by Specific Etiologies in China, 1990-2016: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases caused by specific etiologies in China. METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (GBD 2016) were used. We evaluated the burden by analyzing age-sex-province-specific prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of 33 provinces in China. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2016, prevalence cases in thousands increased by 73.7% from 6833.3 (95% UI: 6498.0-7180.6) to 11869.6 (95% UI: 11274.6-12504.7). Age-standardized mortality and DALY rates per 100,000 decreased by 51.2% and 53.3%, respectively. Male and elderly people (aged ≥ 60 years) preponderance were found for prevalence, mortality, and DALYs. The number of prevalence cases, deaths, and DALYs due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) increased by 86.6%, 8.7%, and 0.9%, respectively. Also, age-standardized prevalence rates decreased in 31 provinces, but increased in Yunnan and Shandong. The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) values were negatively correlated with age-standardized mortality and DALY rates by provinces in 2016; the correlation coefficients were -0.817 and -0.828, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases remain a huge health burden in China, with the increase of population and the aging of population. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains the leading cause of the health burden in China.

Heavy metal accumulation in soils, plants, and hair samples: an assessment of heavy metal exposure risks from the consumption of vegetables grown on soils previously irrigated with wastewater.

It is common knowledge that soils irrigated with wastewater accumulate heavy metals more than those irrigated with cleaner water sources. However, little is known on metal concentrations in soils and cultivars after the cessation of wastewater use. This study assessed the accumulation and health risk of heavy metals 3 years post-wastewater irrigation in soils, vegetables, and farmers' hair. Soils, vegetables, and hair samples were collected from villages previously irrigating with wastewater (experimental villages) and villages with no history of wastewater irrigation (control villages). Soil samples were digested in a mixture of HCL/HNO3/HCLO4/HF. Plants and hair samples were digested in HNO3/HCLO4 mixture. Inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to determine metal concentrations of digested extracts. Study results indicate a persistence of heavy metal concentration in soils and plants from farms previously irrigated with wastewater. In addition, soils previously irrigated with wastewater were severely contaminated with cadmium. Hair metal concentrations of farmers previously irrigating with wastewater were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than farmers irrigating with clean water, but metal concentrations in hair samples of farmers previously irrigating with wastewater were not associated with current soil metal concentrations. The study concludes that there is a persistence of heavy metals in soils and plants previously irrigated with wastewater, but high metal concentrations in hair samples of farmers cannot be associated with current soil metal concentrations.