Work

National trends in burden of enteric infections in China: Shifts from 1990 to 2021

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Enteric infections impose a substantial global health burden annually, especially in countries with inadequate sanitation. This study aims to assess the trends in the burden of enteric infections in China. Methods: Prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to enteric infections by etiology in China were leveraged from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Temporal trends in the burden of enteric infections from 1990 to 2021 were determined by percent changes and average annual percent change (AAPC). Decomposition analysis for percent changes was conducted to understand the contributions of demographic and epidemiological changes. Results: In 2021, China bore 75.15 million incidence cases and 5,590 deaths from enteric infections, with age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of 59.04 per 100,000 and 0.44 per 100,000, respectively. Substantial decreases, mainly driven by epidemiological changes, were observed in incidence cases (-74.12%), deaths (-94.09%), and DALYs (-95.60%) from 1990 to 2021. Simultaneously, age-standardized incidence, mortality, and DALY rates showed decreasing trends for enteric infections and the subtypes in China. Diarrheal diseases were consistently the main constituent of the burden of enteric infections in China. Conclusions: From 1990 to 2021, China has made significant strides in the control of enteric infections. This study underscores the need for continued efforts for the improvement of the health system, and enhanced interventions and health promotion strategies for both young and older populations.

Source: Infectious Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100213

Authors: Huichao Wu, Menglong Li, Zuolin Lu, Jing Huang, Fuqiang Cui, Ruitai Shao