1.Analysis of abnormal thyroid function in the health check-ups of residents in Cangzhou City of Hebei Province
Zhenjiang HOU ; Zhaoxin MOU ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Hong FAN ; Huaxin WANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2017;36(10):764-767
Objective To know about the abnormal condition of thyroid function in healthy population of urban residents in Cangzhou City,to reduce the incidence of thyroid disease to provide a reference.Methods Urban residents participated in a health checkup were selected as respondents in Cangzhou from 2013 to 2015,whose thyroid examination and laboratory test data of thyroid function were collected.Statistical analysis of thyroid dysfunction was performed.Results Totally 3 218 healthy controls with 248 cases of thyroid dysfunction were tested.The detectable rate was 7.71%.The detectable rates of hypothyroidism,subclinical hyperthyroidism,hypothyroidism,and subclinical hypothyroidism were 0.81% (26/3 218),0.68% (22/3 218),1.83% (59/3 218),and 4.38% (141/3 218),respectively.The prevalence of subclinical thyroid disease (5.07%) was higher than that of clinical thyroid disease (2.64%,x2 =32.140,P < 0.01).The detectable rates of thyroid dysfunction from 2013 to 2015 were 2.73% (24/879),6.54% (71/1 086),and 12.21% (153/1 253),respectively.The differences among the three were statistically significant(x2 =69.443,P<0.01).The detectable rate of male thyroid dysfunction was 3.20% (49/1 532)and female was 11.80% (199/1 686).The women's rate was significantly higher than that of men (x2 =12.806,P < 0.01).The majority of patients were in the 40 to under 50 and older than 70 years of age which accounted for 10.25% (65/634) and 10.40% (31/298),respectively.Conclusions The detectable rate of thyroid dysfunction in healthy population of urban residents in Cangzhou City is increasing year by year,most cases are subclinical hypothyroidism.In the future,early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of thyroid diseases should be strengthened and appropriate intervention measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of thyroid and related diseases.
2.Investigation on an outbreak of human brucellosis in Yantai City Shandong Province
Tao LIU ; Xiaodong MOU ; Qiyan LENG ; Mei JIANG ; Xiaowen XU ; Jingyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2019;38(4):310-312
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak caused by human brucellosis in a farm in Yantai City,to explore the causes and transmission routes,and to provide evidence for prevention and control of brucellosis in Yantai City.Methods In 2014,an on-site investigation was conducted in a farm where brucellosis occurred in Yantai City,and case searches were conducted on exposed populations in the farm.According to the investigation questionnaire on epidemiology of brucellosis in Shandong Province,general information,clinical manifestation and high-risk behavior exposure information of the cases were collected;blood samples were collected and tested by tiger red plate agglutination test (RBPT) and tube agglutination test (SAT).Brucellosis was diagnosed according to the "Diagnostic Criteria for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2007).Results The first case was male,58 years old,farm worker.A total of 38 suspected cases were found.Eleven patients with positive RBPT and SAT≥1:100 (++) were confirmed cases.The confirmed cases were all male,with a median age of 52 years,ranging from 40 to 60 years old;5 farm workers and 6 construction workers;the onset time was mainly in June and July,a total of 7 cases;clinical manifestations mainly included excessive sweating,muscle and joint pain,fatigue,testicular swelling,etc.Of the 147 sheep in the farm,47 were positive by laboratory tests,accounting for 31.97%,which were the main sources of infection.High-risk exposures for farm workers included hand-delivered births (5 cases) and breeding for livestock (1 case);high-risk exposures for construction workers included entry and exit of sheep houses (6 cases) and handling of supplies in sheep houses (6 cases).Conclusions The epidemic is caused by direct contact with Brucella-infected sheep or caused by respiratory contact with brucellosis contaminated environment.It is necessary to strengthen the health education for prevention and control of the disease in key populations and improve the awareness of the disease.
3.Clinical and neurophysiological analysis of neuralgic amyotrophy
Mingxia ZHU ; Hongyue MA ; Xiuli LI ; Jingyu MOU ; Hongjing LIU ; Jing CHEN ; Guangju QI ; Xinhong FENG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(12):1353-1361
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and neurophysiological features of patients with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) and explore their neurological function status.Methods:Clinical data and neurophysiological findings of 90 patients diagnosed with NA at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from September 2016 to January 2024 were collected and their clinical phenotypes and neurophysiological characteristics were systematically summarized and analyzed.Results:Among the 90 patients, males accounted for 60.0% (54 cases) and females accounted for 40.0% (36 cases). The duration of the disease was 12 (3, 36) months (ranged from 1 week to 5 years). The onset age of the patients was 58 (30, 70) (21-87) years. Unilateral involvement was noted in 94.4% (85/90) of patients, exhibiting a left-to-right ratio of 1∶1.3, while only 5.6% (5/90) had bilateral involvement. The majority of patients demonstrated a monophasic clinical course with a recurrence rate of just 2.2% (2/90). The primary clinical manifestations included upper limb pain in 70.0% (63/90) of patients, which progressed to muscle weakness and atrophy within 1 day to 1 month, whereas 30.0% (27/90) of patients without significant pain symptoms. Lesions predominantly affected the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, which accounted for 64.4% (58/90) of patients. Distal nerve injuries in the upper limb were observed in 14.4% (13/90) of patients, with 6.7% (6/90) demonstrating isolated anterior interosseous nerve involvement and another 6.7% (6/90) exhibiting isolated posterior interosseous nerve involvement; 1 case had concurrent anterior and posterior interosseous nerve damage. Additionally, 1 case presented with bilateral phrenic nerve involvement, and another patient had isolated posterior tibial nerve injury. Electrophysiological evaluations of patients with NA revealed that axonal damage to motor nerve fibers was a hallmark feature of the condition. Among patients undergoing motor nerve conduction studies, 68.8% (55/80) exhibited decreased compound muscle action potential amplitude, and 31.3% (25/80) had prolonged latency. Sensory nerve conduction was normal in 60.0% (48/80) of patients, while abnormalities included prolonged latency in 15.0% (12/80), reduced amplitude in 12.5% (10/80), slowed conduction velocity in 8.8% (7/80), and absent waveforms in 3.8% (3/80) of patients. The rates of abnormal nerve conduction findings in motor nerves were the highest in the suprascapular nerve (70.6%, 36/51), followed by the axillary nerve (58.3%, 35/60), musculocutaneous nerve (50.7%, 35/69), long thoracic nerve (6/17), and both anterior and posterior interosseous nerves (7.5%, 6/80 each). In sensory nerves, abnormalities were predominantly noted in the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (30.0%, 12/40). Needle electromyography demonstrated neurogenic damage, most frequently affecting the infraspinatus muscle (69.2%, 18/26), biceps brachii (68.1%, 49/72), and deltoid muscle (65.3%, 47/72). The positive rate of magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) for NA was 62.1% (41/66), among which 63.4% (26/41) showed localized swelling of the brachial plexus, 51.2% (21/41) exhibited T 2 hyperintensity, and 4.9% (2/41) demonstrated denervated changes in the muscles. The positive rate of ultrasound for NA was 71.1% (59/83), with 91.5% (54/59) showing nerve swelling and 8.5% (5/59) exhibiting hourglass constriction .Conclusions:NA is a peripheral neuropathy characterized by spontaneous pain, limb weakness, and (or) muscle atrophy primarily. Its clinical phenotype predominantly involves damage to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, which can also manifest as isolated mononeuropathy. Neurophysiological findings most commonly reveal the neurogenic damage to the muscles innervated by the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, mainly characterized by the axonal damage to the motor nerves, and pure motor nerve damage may also be observed. MRN and neuroultrasound can assist in qualitative diagnosis.