BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) presents a significant health burden in Asia and remains a critical challenge. This study aims to delineate the PAH burden in Asia from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Using the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021, we evaluated and analyzed the distributions and patterns of PAH disease burden among various age groups, sexes, regions, and countries in Asia. Additionally, we examined the associations between PAH disease burden and key health system indicators, including the socio-demographic index (SDI) and the universal health coverage (UHC) index. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 25,989 new PAH cases, 103,382 existing cases, 13,909 PAH-associated deaths, and 385,755 DALYs attributed to PAH in Asia, which accounted for approximately 60% of global PAH cases. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prevalence and deaths were 2.05 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 1.66-2.52) per 100,000 population and 0.31 (95% UI: 0.23-0.38) per 100,000 population, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, Asia reported the lowest ASRs for PAH prevalence but the highest ASRs for deaths compared to other continents. While the ASRs for prevalence increased slightly, ASRs for mortality and DALYs decreased over time. This increasing burden of PAH was primarily driven by population growth and aging. The burden was especially pronounced among individuals aged ≥60 years and <9 years, who collectively accounted for the majority of deaths and DALYs. Moreover, higher SDI and UHC levels were linked to reduced incidence, but higher prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS Although progress has been made in reducing PAH-related mortality and DALYs, the disease continues to impose a substantial burden in Asia, particularly among older adults and young children. Region-specific health policies should focus on improving early diagnosis, expanding access to treatment, and effectively addressing the growing PAH burden in the region.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Asia/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Aged ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/mortality* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology*

Objective To explore the expression of serum growth differentiation factor-8(GDF-8)and silent information regulator 4(Sir4)in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)and their relationship with left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function.Methods A total of 300 CHF patients admitted in our hospital from Jan 2021 to Dec 2023 were recruited and assigned into an observation group,and 100 healthy individuals who took physical examination during the same period served as control group.Based on New York Heart Association(NYHA)heart function classification,the patients in the observation group were divided into Grade Ⅰ(60 cases),Ⅱ(72 cases),Ⅲ(102 cases),and Ⅳ(66 cases)subgroups.Their clinical data were collected,serum GDF-8 and Sir4 levels were detected,left ventricular remodeling was evaluated with echocardiography,and cardiac dysfunction was assessed with NYHA cardiac function grading.Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to analyze the correlation of GDF-8 and Sir4 levels with left ven-tricular remodeling and myocardial injury.Results The observation group had significantly larger left atrial diameter(LAD)and left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),thicker left ven-tricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT)and interventricular septum thickness(IVST),and higher left ventricular mass index(LVMI)and serum Sir4 and GDF-8 levels(42.46±4.75 mm vs 36.39±5.33 mm,54.63±7.96 mm vs 47.42±8.08 mm,9.44±1.21 mm vs 8.49±0.88 mm,9.27±1.58 mm vs 8.66±1.71 mm,141.49±5.32 g/m2 vs 106.52±7.33 g/m2,3.69±1.06 g/L vs 1.48±0.42 g/L,33.75±10.64 g/L vs 19.08±5.13 g/L,P＜0.01),but lower LVEF[(40.02±10.14)％vs(63.64±6.13)％,P＜0.01]and left ventricular remodeling index(LVRI,1.05±0.24 g/ml vs 1.32±0.33 g/ml,P＜0.01)when compared with the control group.The levels of Sir4 and GDF-8,as well as LVMI,were gradually increased,while the LVRI was decreased in Grades Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ subgroups in turn,with statistical differences in the subgroups(P＜0.01).Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses showed that Sir4 and GDF-8 levels were positively correlated with LAD,LVEDD,LVPWT,IVST,LVMI,and NHYA cardiac function grade(P＜0.01),and nega-tively with LVEF and LVRI(P＜0.01).Conclusion Serum Sir4 and GDF-8 levels are abnormally elevated in elderly CHF patients,and their levels are positively correlated with the severity of left ventricular remodeling and the severity of cardiac dysfunction.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) are diseases that occur after acute pulmonary embolism resulting from residual and organized intra-pulmonary thrombus, with or without pulmonary hypertension(PH). The prognosis of these diseases has been dramatically improved with the continuous progress of treatment and the updated concept of the comprehensive treatment strategy. However, there is a lack of awareness of these diseases among medical practitioners, and a lack of epidemiological data in China, with unknown pathogenesis and non-specific clinical manifestations. Therefore, it is easy to misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis and delay diagnosis in clinical practice. To enhance the understanding of medical personnel, this paper summarizes the definition, epidemiology, pathology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CTEPH and CTEPD.