Background and Objectives:To our knowledge, no comprehensive update of the descriptive epidemiology and trends of ischemic stroke has been released since Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017. To examine ischemic stroke burdens at global, regional and national levels in terms of sex, age and social development index (SDI).Methods:Data were extracted from the GBD 2019 datasets. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess the incidence rate, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) trends of ischemic stroke. Measures were stratified by sex, region, country, age and SDI.Results:The global age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of ischemic stroke decreased from 1990 to 2019, with an EAPC of -0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.54 to -0.32]. High-middle and middle SDI regions had much higher ASIR, ASDR and age-standardized DALY rates due to ischemic stroke than other SDI regions. Regionally, East Asia had the highest ASIR of ischemic stroke in 2019 and the largest increase in the ASIR from 1990 to 2019. Nationally, Egypt (EAPC, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.52) and China (EAPC, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.20) had the most pronounced increases in the ASIR of ischemic stroke. Globally, there was an increase in ischemic stroke incidence with increasing age, especially in females aged 50–69 years or older. The global age-standardized death rate (ASDR) decreased from 1990 to 2019, with an EAPC of -1.63 (95% CI, -1.72 to -1.53). The ASDR and age-standardized DALY rates increased most in Southern sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.Conclusions:The ASIR, ASDR and the age-standardized DALY rates remained high in high-middle and middle SDI regions. East Asia, Southern sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia had the greatest burden of ischemic stroke. Globally, females had a greater burden of ischemic stroke than males, especially those aged 50–69 years or older.

BackgroundThe rapid spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has attracted global concerns. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the high prevalence of MDR-TB in China's Heilongjiang province. Methods A cross-sectional survey following the WHO/ International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease guidelines was conducted with consecutive recruitment of patients with TB in 30 counties selected at random in Heilongjiang in 2004. A total of 1995 patients were tested for MDR-TB. Factors associated with MDR-TB were identified through multilevel models and traditional logistic regression analysis, along with in-depth interviews with nine patients, five healthcare managers and four doctors. Results 241 patients (12%) were identified with MDR-TB. The retreatment patients were 5.48 times (95% CI 4.04 to 7.44) more likely to have MDR-TB than newly diagnosed patients. The patients who were treated with isoniazid and rifampin for >180 days were 4.82 times (95% CI 2.97 to 7.81) more likely to develop MDR-TB than those treated <180 days. Age and delay in initiating TB treatment were associated with MDR-TB. Financial burden, poor knowledge and side effects of TB treatment were perceived by the interviewees as influencing factors. Lack of coordination of services, unsatisfactory supervision of treatment and infection control jeopardised the control of MDR-TB. Conclusions Inappropriate treatment is the most important influencing factor of MDR-TB. Increasing people's awareness of TB, early detection and appropriate treatment of patients with TB should become a priority, which requires strong commitment and collaboration among health organisations and greater compliance with TB treatment guidelines by service providers and patients.

Aims/hypothesis The associations between adiponectin polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes have been studied widely; however, results are inconsistent. Methods We searched electronic literature databases and reference lists of relevant articles. A fixed or random effects model was used on the basis of heterogeneity. Sub-group and meta-regression analyses were conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity.