Epidemiological Characterisation of Chronic Diseases Among Civil Servants in Hebei Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Real-World Study of Approximately 50,000 Adults

Abstract

Background: The objective of this investigation was to explore the health status and epidemiological features of civil servants working in Hebei Province, China.

Methods: Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey that involved 50,039 adult civil servants in Hebei Province. The research was conducted at the Hebei Provincial Medical Examination Centre and included inquiries about demographics, health behaviours, chronic illnesses, and abnormal check-up indicators. Statistical data were used to determine the prevalence of chronic diseases and abnormal health examination indicators. Subgroup analyses by sex were then conducted to calculate the similarities and differences in health status between men and women.

Results: The findings of the survey indicate that 14.2% of individuals who work in civil service suffer from obesity. Additionally, a considerable proportion of this group display poor health behaviours, including smoking and alcohol consumption. Hypertension (21.03%), dyslipidaemia (10.88%), and diabetes mellitus (8.56%) were identified as the top three chronic diseases, while cardiovascular diseases were prevalent at 6.27% among civil servants. Ultrasound showed a high prevalence of fatty liver, non-smooth gallbladder and liver cysts (44.61%, 33.24% and 23.26% respectively). The occurrence of pulmonary nodules was alarmingly high at 88.48%, while thyroid nodules were found in as much as 62.65% of patients. Abnormal E/A values≤1, prostate hyperplasia, breast nodules, and carotid plaques were also prevalent, with percentages ranging from 46.76% to 63.04%. In subgroup analyses by gender, the prevalence of chronic diseases and abnormal screening indicators was consistently higher in men than in women, with the exception of thyroid nodules and thyroid surgery.

Conclusion: The survey revealed a large proportion of civil servants in Hebei Province, China, suffering from chronic diseases, underscoring the necessity for enhanced attention to chronic disease prevention and management in this group and emphasising the requirement for focused interventions aimed at improving health outcomes.

Keywords: China; Hebei Province; civil servants; health status; real-world study; ultrasound.

Figure 1

Baseline characteristics of all populations. (A) Pie chart of age composition ratios (N=50038). (B) Obesity and overweight rates among all populations (N=49217). (C) Obesity and overweight rates among males (N=27351). (D) Obesity and overweight rates among females (N=21866). (E) Percentage of tobacco use (N=50038). (F) Percentage of alcohol use (N=50038). (G) Percentage of waist circumference and waist-to-Hip ratio in men (N=27351). (H) Percentage of waist circumference and waist-to-Hip ratio in women (N=21866). (I) Prevalence of chronic diseases in all population groups (N=50038).

Figure 2

Prevalence of metabolic abnormalities. (A) Prevalence of hypertension in all populations. (B) Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in all populations. (C) Prevalence of diabetes in all populations. (D) Prevalence of hyperuricaemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in all populations.

Figure 3

Prevalence of metabolic abnormalities based on gender subgroups. (A) Prevalence of hypertension in male and female subgroups. (B) Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in male and female subgroups. (C) Prevalence of diabetes in male and female subgroups. (D) Prevalence of hyperuricaemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in male and female subgroups. Comparisons between gender subgroups were made using the chi-squared test.

Figure 4

Prevalence of abnormal ultrasound findings. (A) Abdominal ultrasound. (B) Prostate ultrasound. (C) Breast ultrasound. (D) Thyroid ultrasound. (E) Carotid ultrasound and lung CT. (F) Cardiac ultrasound.

Figure 5

Prevalence of abnormal ultrasound findings based on gender subgroups. (A) Abdominal ultrasound. (B) Carotid ultrasound. (C) Lung CT. (D) Thyroid ultrasound. (E) Cardiac ultrasound. Comparisons between gender subgroups were made using the chi-squared test.