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Objective This study aimed at determining the mean total sleep time (TST) and the relationship between sleep duration and basic socio-demographic factors and BMI sleep problems in Chinese subjects. Method A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized assessment tools. Results The reported mean TST was 7.76 h. Short sleepers were significantly older than medium and long sleepers. There were more urban residents who were short sleepers than medium and long sleepers. Short sleepers reported more sleep problems than medium and long sleepers. Short and long sleepers reported more psychiatric disorders than medium sleepers in both sexes, and short sleepers also had more major medical conditions in women. Short sleepers had a lower BMI than medium and long sleepers after controlling for the effects of age and psychiatric disorders in women. Conclusions Nationwide epidemiologic surveys in China are needed to further explore the relationship between sleep duration and sleep problems.

Objective This study aimed to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence of major depressive episode (MDE) and their socio-demographic correlates in both the urban and rural areas of Beijing, China. Methods A total of 4767 adults were randomly selected and interviewed in Beijing using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews. Results The overall 12-month prevalence of MDE was 3.2%; 2.8% and 3.8% for men and women, respectively. The overall lifetime prevalence of MDE was 5.3%; 4.4% and 6.3% for men and women, respectively. Being older than 25 years of age was independently associated with increased risk of MDE. Sixteen point three percent of the subjects with lifetime MDE attempted suicide while the rate of suicide attempts was only 0.2% in subjects without MDE. The percentage of subjects with MDE who received any type of treatment from medical practitioners was 33.1%; of them, only 5.4% sought help from mental health professionals. Conclusions National epidemiologic surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of MDE in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for MDE constitutes a major public health problem that should be urgently addressed.

Objective There has been no large-scale survey of schizophrenia in China involving both rural and urban areas using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and its socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China. Methods A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews. Results The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia was 0.49%, and 0.44% and 0.55% for men and women, respectively. Unmarried status, lower monthly income, urban abode and positive family history were associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia; 9.7% of the subjects with lifetime schizophrenia reported a history of suicide attempts. The percentage of subjects with schizophrenia who were receiving treatment and their preference to seek treatment from mental health professionals were 58% and 29%, respectively. Conclusions National surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of schizophrenia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for schizophrenia is a serious public health issue that should be addressed in the near future.

To investigate the frequencies of HLA-Alu repeat polymorphisms (AluMICB, AluTF, AluHJ, AluHG and AluHF) in Chinese Lisu and Nu ethnic populations.The frequencies of HLA-Alu repeat polymorphisms in above populations were determined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The associations between HLA-Alu repeat polymorphisms and HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C alleles were also analyzed. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with genetic distance calculated from the frequencies of HLA-Alu repeat polymorphisms.Frequencies of AluTF*2 and AluHF*2 were different between the two populations (P0.05), while those of other three insertions were similar. The strength of association between HLA-Alus and HLA alleles were different (P0.05) in the two populations. Although AluMICB*2 were associated with HLA-B*56:01 in both populations, the association was stronger in Lisu population (74.0%) but moderate in Nu population (30.7%). HLA-Alus were associated with particular HLA subtypes, e.g., AluHG*2 with certain HLA-A*02 subtypes. By phylogenetic analysis, Lisu and Nu were clustered together with southern Chinese and Thai populations.The distribution of HLA-Alus and the strength of associations between HLA-Alus and HLA class I alleles have varied between the two populations. Study of this association may facilitate identification of origins, evolution, progenitor haplotypes and recombination within the HLA class I region.

Background: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol use, episodic heavy drinking, and alcohol dependence and their socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China. Methods: A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Data on basic socio-demographic and current major medical conditions were also collected. Results: The 12-month prevalence of alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking were 32.5 and 13.8%, respectively. The 12-month and lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence were 1.7 and 4.3%, respectively. Age above 24 years, male sex, being married and employed, low education level (junior high school, primary school or illiterate), rural residence, and having comorbid psychiatric disorders were all significantly associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol-related disorders. Only 2.4% of the subjects with alcohol dependence were receiving treatment, and a mere 1.4% had sought treatment from mental health professionals. Conclusions: Nationwide surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of alcohol-related disorders in China.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and its sociodemographic correlates. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed. FINDINGS: The overall 12-month and lifetime prevalence of GAD was 0.8%, and 1.2%, respectively. Being older than 25 years and female, lower education level, unemployed status, and lower (RMB2000/month) monthly income were associated with increased risk of GAD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The low percentage of subjects treated for GAD indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed. Language: en

Objective: There has been no large-scale survey of suicide-related behaviours including suicidal ideations, plans and attempts in China involving both rural and urban areas and using standardized assessment tools. The aim of the present study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of suicide-related behaviour and its relationship with sociodemographic factors and psychiatric disorders in the rural and urban regions of Beijing, China.Methods: A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data and data on suicide-related behaviour were also collected.Results: The overall lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts were 2.3%, 1.4%, and 1.0%, respectively; the corresponding figures were 2.8%, 1.6%, and 1.3% in the rural sample, and 1.8%, 1.3%, and 0.9% in the urban sample. Age (>25years), female sex, unmarried status, lower education level, lower (−1) or higher (>RMB2000month−1) monthly income and presence of major medical disorders were significantly associated with increased risk of suicide-related behaviour. 36.2% of subjects with suicide-related behavior consulted a medical practitioner and 20.7% consulted a psychiatrist.Conclusions: The prevalence of lifetime suicide-related behaviour in Beijing is lower than in Western countries, but the low percentage of subjects treated for suicide-related behaviour indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed. National surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of suicide-related behaviour in China.

INSOMNIA IS AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF ITS HIGH PREVALENCE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH WORK ABSENTEEISM, considerable impairment of quality of life, and increased medical and societal costs.1–4 It has been reported that nearly one-third of the adult population in the US suffer from sleep problems.5–7 In recent decades, insomnia received increasing attention from policymakers and health care providers, with a large body of studies undertaken.8 To implement appropriate strategies and effective measures to reduce the personal suffering and harmful consequences created by insomnia, it is essential to understand its prevalence and sociodemographic and clinical correlates. However, the frequency of insomnia across different countries varies considerably, ranging from 6% to 76.3%,9,10 due primarily to differences in interview procedures (telephone interviews vs. face-to-face interviews), the definition of criteria for insomnia, and its time frame (e.g., current, past week, past year, or lifetime).8 Several sociodemographic and clinical factors, such as female sex, advanced age, divorced or separated marital status, low income and educational level, and somatic or psychiatric conditions were found to be associated with insomnia in Western countries.7,9,11–13 To date, however, no studies have explored the prevalence of insomnia and its relationship with sociodemographic and clinical correlates in a general population-based survey in China, although previous studies indicate that cultural factors played an important role in insomnia.14,15 In traditional Chinese culture, diligence is highly praised; in contrast, sleep problems are usually minimized.16 Furthermore, the lay public often regards a regular good night's sleep as the manifestation of laziness.16,17 Two famous old sayings frequently quoted to encourage people in China are vivid examples of this attitude: “Pick a light to read for a night” and “Rising up upon hearing the crow of a rooster to practice sword playing”. The study reported herein set out to investigate (1) the prevalence of various types of DSM-IV-defined insomnia in the general population aged ≥15 years living in the urban and rural areas of Beijing, China; (2) the sociodemographic correlates of insomnia; (3) the relationship of insomnia to major medical and psychiatric disorders; and (4) the treatment of people with insomnia.