Effect of a two-stage intervention package on the cesarean section rate in Guangzhou, China: A before-and-after study.

Background: The cesarean section (CS) rate has risen globally during the last two decades. Effective and feasible strategies are needed to reduce it. The aim of this study was to assess the CS rate change after a two-stage intervention package that was designed to reduce the overall CS rate in Guangzhou, China.

Association of Solid Fuel Use With Risk of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Rural China.

Importance: When combusted indoors, solid fuels generate a large amount of pollutants such as fine particulate matter.

Objective: To assess the associations of solid fuel use for cooking and heating with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nationwide prospective cohort study recruited participants from 5 rural areas across China between June 2004 and July 2008; mortality follow-up was until January 1, 2014.

The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS).

The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS) is a large-scale prospective observational study investigating the role of social, biological and environmental influences on pregnancy and child health and development in an urban setting in southern China. Pregnant women who reside in Guangzhou and who attend Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (GWCMC) for antenatal care in early pregnancy (<20 weeks' gestation) are eligible for inclusion. Study recruitment commenced in February 2012, with an overall participation rate of 76.

Respiratory risks from household air pollution in low and middle income countries.

A third of the world's population uses solid fuel derived from plant material (biomass) or coal for cooking, heating, or lighting. These fuels are smoky, often used in an open fire or simple stove with incomplete combustion, and result in a large amount of household air pollution when smoke is poorly vented. Air pollution is the biggest environmental cause of death worldwide, with household air pollution accounting for about 3·5-4 million deaths every year.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2-a potential genetic risk factor for lung function among southern Chinese: evidence from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Purpose: In Asia, moderate alcohol users have better lung function. Never users have more inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) alleles (A) potentially generating confounding because inactive alleles may increase acetaldehyde exposure and reduce lung function.

Methods: We examined the association of ALDH2 genotypes with percentage predicted lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second; forced vital capacity) for age, sex, and height among 5641 older Chinese using multivariable linear regression.

Willingness of pregnant women to participate in a birth cohort study in China.

Objective: To determine the willingness of pregnant women in Guangzhou, China, to participate in a large-scale birth cohort study.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 526 pregnant women who attended their first prenatal class at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China, between September 21 and November 15, 2011. Information on demographic characteristics, willingness to participate, and preferences regarding collection procedures and incentives were analyzed.

COPD and depressive symptoms: findings from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) co-exists with depression, but important questions remain about the determinants of this association.

Purpose: We examined the association of depressive symptoms with three aspects of COPD: self-reports of physician-diagnosed COPD, chronic respiratory symptoms, and airway obstruction.

Methods: We used data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (n = 7,995).

Lung cancer risk and solid fuel smoke exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review was to quantify the impact of biomass fuel and coal use on lung cancer and to explore reasons for heterogeneity in the reported effect sizes. A systematic review of primary studies reporting the relationship between solid fuel use and lung cancer was carried out, based on pre-defined criteria. Studies that dealt with confounding factors were used in the meta-analysis.

Reduced lung function due to biomass smoke exposure in young adults in rural Nepal.

This study aimed to assess the effects of biomass smoke exposure on lung function in a Nepalese population, addressing some of the methodological issues seen in previous studies. We carried out a cross-sectional study of adults in a population exposed to biomass smoke and a non-exposed population in Nepal. Questionnaire and lung function data were acquired along with direct measures of indoor and outdoor air quality.

Sex, susceptibility to smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the effect of different diagnostic criteria. Analysis of the Health Survey for England.

Background: Some previous studies suggest there are sex differences in susceptibility to, and prevalence of, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but findings are inconsistent. In this study, whether different diagnostic criteria for COPD may contribute to these conflicting findings was examined.

Methods: Cross sectional analysis of data from the 1995, 1996 and 2001 Health Survey for England was undertaken, including participants of white ethnicity, aged 40+ years with a valid smoking history and lung function data.

Mental health and asthma in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Background: There is consistent evidence of the co-occurrence of poor mental health and asthma in Western populations. Since the experience and expression of mental health is partly culturally determined, it is of interest to examine if similar associations are found in other cultural settings. In that regard, very little is known about the association between mental health and asthma in Asian countries, such as China.

Self-reported long total sleep duration is associated with metabolic syndrome: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Objective: To examine the association between total sleep duration and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in older Chinese.

Research Design And Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS) was performed. Participants (n = 29,333) were aged ≥50 years.

Case finding for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a model for optimising a targeted approach.

Objectives: Case finding is proposed as an important component of the forthcoming English National Clinical Strategy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of accepted widespread underdiagnosis worldwide. However the best method of identification is not known. The extent of undiagnosed clinically significant COPD in England is described and the effectiveness of an active compared with an opportunistic approach to case finding is evaluated.

Napping is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Study Objective: Intentional napping is very common, particularly in China. However, there are limited data regarding its potential health effects. We therefore examined the possible relationship between napping and type 2 diabetes.

Prior TB, smoking, and airflow obstruction: a cross-sectional analysis of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Background: Prior pulmonary TB has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of airflow obstruction, which is the hallmark of COPD, but whether smoking modifies this relationship is unclear. We investigated the relationships between prior TB, smoking, and airflow obstruction in a Chinese population sample.

Methods: Participants in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study underwent spirometry, chest radiography, and a structured interview on lifestyle and exposures.

Alcohol sensitivity, alcohol use and hypertension in an older Chinese population: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Although the J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure (BP) is well known, the effect of alcohol sensitivity on this relationship is less clear. We studied the association of alcohol sensitivity and alcohol use with BP and hypertension. This cross-sectional analysis included 19 335 older participants from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study recruited from 2003 to 2006, using clinically measured BP and self-reported alcohol use and alcohol sensitivity.