[Epidemiological and spatial-temporal clustering characteristics of pertussis in Hebei Province from 2013 to 2022].

Objective: To analyze the spatial-temporal epidemiological characteristics of pertussis from 2013 to 2022 in Hebei Province and to provide a reference for improving prevention and control measures. Methods: Based on the data of pertussis reported in Hebei Province during 2013-2022 to analyze the popular characteristic, the ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to construct a ring map and to perform spatial autocorrelation analysis; the SaTScan 10.1 software was used for spatial-temporal scan statistics. Results: There were 6 715 cases of the cumulative report in Hebei Province from 2013 to 2022 without death. The annual report incidence was 0.90/100 000. The overall incidence rate showed an upward trend from 2013 to 2019, and during 2020-2021, it showed a sharp decline, but in 2022, it showed a sharp increase. Summer and autumn are the peak seasons of the epidemic. The incidence was highest in age group <1 year (48.67%), and the lowest age group in age group ≥15 years (0.45%) and mainly scattered children (78.03%); the incidence about men is higher than women. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the onset of pertussis has spatial clustering, and high-high clusters were found in Langfang, Baoding, and Cangzhou, the top three countries with reported incidence. The area covered by a low-low cluster was consistent with the distribution of the corresponding low-incidence areas in this study. Space-time scan detects five statistically significant areas, and three zones were concentrated in 2022. Conclusions: The incidence of pertussis in Hebei had obvious season, population, and area-specific differences. There was obvious spatiotemporal and clustering, so the control of key areas should target the characteristics of time and space.

Efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony in treating primary Sjögren's syndrome: a propensity-matched study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 236 patients with pSS, including 118 TGP users and 118 non-users. Propensity score matching and Binary logistic regression analyses were used to minimize confounding factors and determine the association between TGP treatment and clinical variables. RESULTS: The baseline indexes of TGP users and non-users were basically the same. The median time of follow-up in the two groups was also similar (p < 0.05). Compared with non-users, TGP users showed higher rates of improvement in dry mouth and eyes and musculoskeletal involvement, as well as more significant reductions in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) levels after treatment. Logistic regression confirmed that the use of TGP was negatively correlated with the increase of ALT and DBIL in pSS patients, and the reduction in these variables was more pronounced after 2 years of treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions in the TGP users was 11.9%, which was compatible with those in non-users. CONCLUSIONS: TGP is often a safe option for treating pSS patients with musculoskeletal features and abnormal ALT levels. Besides, it can help improve dry mouth and dry eyes and decrease DBIL levels.