Prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in eastern coastal China and its implication for NCDs prevention and treatment

Objective To examine the epidemic trend of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in Southeast China and to provide evidences for prevention and treatment of the diseases.Methods We collected 1 907 484 medical records of NCDs patients admitted to 12 tertiary general hospitals located in 5 provinces of Southeast China between 2003 through 2014.Distribution of and changing trend in NCDs spectrum among the inpatients were analyzed.Results The proportion of digestive diseases decreased significantly (Z=-4.28,P<0.0001),and that of mental and behavioural disorders were not changed significantly (Z=-1.43,P=0.077) among the male inpatients; while among the female inpatients,the proportion of digestive diseases did not changed significantly (Z=-0.270,P=0.394),but that of mental and behavioural disorders increased significantly (Z=5.130,P<0.001).Moreover,the proportion of the inpatients aged 21-50 years with diabetes,blood diseases or endocrine diseases skyrocketed over this period (all P<0.001).However,the proportion of inpatients with cancer decreased sharply with the increment of age (all P<0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of NCDs showed specific characteristics with the economic development in Southeast China,particularly among women and younger people,suggesting that the burden of NCDs needs to be concerned.