Systematic investigation of gastrointestinal diseases in China (SILC): validation of survey methodology

Abstract

BackgroundSymptom-based surveys suggest that the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases is lower in China than in Western countries. The aim of this study was to validate a methodology for the epidemiological investigation of gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic findings in China.MethodsA randomized, stratified, multi-stage sampling methodology was used to select 18 000 adults aged 18-80 years from Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Wuhan and Guangzhou. Participants from Shanghai were invited to provide blood samples and undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All participants completed Chinese versions of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and the modified Rome II questionnaire; 20% were also invited to complete the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The psychometric properties of the questionnaires were evaluated statistically.ResultsThe study was completed by 16 091 individuals (response rate: 89.4%), with 3219 (89.4% of those invited) completing the SF-36 and ESS. All 3153 participants in Shanghai provided blood samples and 1030 (32.7%) underwent endoscopy. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.89, 0.89, 0.80 and 0.91, respectively, for the RDQ, modified Rome II questionnaire, ESS and SF-36, supporting internal consistency. Factor analysis supported construct validity of all questionnaire dimensions except SF-36 psychosocial dimensions.ConclusionThis population-based study has great potential to characterize the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic findings in China.

Abdominal obesity and its association with health-related quality of life in adults: a population-based study in five Chinese cities

“…A detailed description of the study population and the methods of the survey have been previously published [17]. Briefly, the survey was conducted among 3,600 residents aged 18–80 years from April 2007 to January 2008.…”

Association Between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Population-based Study in China

“…19 In the SILC study, a total of 18 000 adults aged from 18-80 were selected from Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Wuhan, and Guangzhou (the 5 cities are located in Eastern, Northern, Western, Middle, and Southern China respectively) using a randomized, stratified, and multi-stage sampling methodology. Firstly, we treated the urban and rural population as 2 separate strata.…”

“…19 Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and weight measured by trained investigators, then the BMI was divided into 4 groups according to the Chinese BMI categories. 20 The Chinese version of ESS, modified Chinese version of the Rome II questionnaire (gastroduodenal, bowel, and biliary items only) and the Chinese version of Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) were applied to measure EDS, FGIDs, and GERD.…”

“…16,25 All participants completed Chinese versions of the RDQ and the modified Rome II questionnaire; a random sub-sample of the total sample (20% in each region, total 3600 participants) were also invited to fill in the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). 19 …”

Linear Stapled Esophagogastrostomy is more Effective than Hand-Sewn or Circular Stapler in Prevention of Anastomotic Stricture: a Comparative Clinical Study

“…Currently, CarlssonDent self-administered questionnaire 11 and reflux symptom questionnaire (RSQ) 12 are usually used in China, with the latter more applicable to Chinese population. 13 We further modified the RSQ: (1) only the most common symptoms, heartburn, and regurgitation were evaluated. Other GERDrelated symptoms like epigastric pain or retrosternal pain were excluded in this survey since they could not be easily differentiated from postoperative incisional pain; (2) in accordance with the dysphagia score, we did not use the frequency of reflux but only five-point severity scale was used.…”