Analysis of Influencing Factors for Chronic Diseases: A Large Sample Epidemiological Survey from Liaoyang

Northeast China is a region with a serious aging population. There are fewer articles on epidemiological surveys on the prevalence of chronic diseases in aging areas of China. The study is aimed at understanding the prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) in Liaoning Province, northeast China, and analyzing the risk factors for these chronic diseases.

A questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted in 5008 permanent residents in 2 streets (Henan Street and Hebei Street) covered by Liuerbao Central Health Center in Liaoyang and 4 villages (Miaogou Village, Wangjia Village, Heyan Village, and Shuiquan Village) covered by Shuiquan Health Center in Tianshui Town of Liaoyang from January 2020 to December 2020.

A total of 4990 patients were included. The prevalence rates of hypertension, DM, dyslipidemia, and obesity in residents in Liaoyang were 54.13%, 12.30%, 43.31%, and 20.52%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension and DM was highest in both male and female patients aged 40-60 years, which was higher than that in the other age groups (P < 0.05). The prevalence of dyslipidemia was highest in men over 60 years old and women 18 - <40 years old. Obesity was most common in men aged over 60 and in women 40 - <60 years old. The proportion of male smokers in all age groups was significantly higher than that of female smokers. Smoking, dyslipidemia, and significant overweight or obesity are common risk factors for hypertension and DM.

In Liaoyang, northeast China, the prevalence of noninfectious chronic diseases was high, and the prevalence rate in people over 40 years old was significantly higher than that in people under 40 years old. The prevalence and progression of chronic diseases were obviously related to local living and eating habits; thus, health education needs to be improved.