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Geographic Diversity in the Incidence of Human Prion Diseases - China, 2006-2019

Qi Shi1, Kang Xiao1, Liping Gao1

  • 1National Key-Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Disease, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.

China CDC Weekly
|November 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Hospital referrals for human prion diseases (PrDs) to China's national surveillance increased significantly from 2006-2019. Surveillance data reveals geographical disparities in PrD case reporting across China.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Human prion diseases (PrDs) are rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Comprehensive diagnostic analysis and surveillance are crucial for understanding PrD epidemiology.
  • The Chinese National Surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CNS-CJD) monitors these rare conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze hospital referral patterns for PrD cases to the CNS-CJD.
  • To investigate geographical variations in PrD case reporting across China's provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs).
  • To assess the impact of surveillance on case detection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1,970 PrD cases referred to CNS-CJD from 2006 to 2019.
  • Evaluation of referral data from 344 hospitals across 29 PLADs.
  • Statistical comparison of referral numbers and confirmed cases between monitored and non-monitored PLADs.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in referring hospitals was observed over the surveillance period.
  • A small proportion of hospitals (12.2%) reported a majority (70.0%) of PrD cases.
  • Referral numbers and case counts varied substantially across PLADs, with some regions showing higher reporting rates.

Conclusions:

  • Geographical disparities in PrD recognition and reporting are evident across China.
  • Major urban centers and monitored regions demonstrate higher referral rates.
  • Enhanced surveillance strategies may be needed to address regional inequalities in PrD diagnosis.
Abstract

Keywords:
Prion diseaseReferring hospitalSurveillance

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