Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population

Abstract. Background:. Epidemiological data on chronic diarrhea in the Chinese population are lacking, and the association between obesity and chronic diarrhea in East Asian populations remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with...

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Main Authors: Ke Han, Xiangyao Wang, Yan Wang, Xiaotong Niu, Jingyuan Xiang, Nan Ru, Chunxu Jia, Hongyi Sun, Zhengting He, Yujie Feng, Enqiang Linghu, Jing Ni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-07-01
Series:Chinese Medical Journal
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003190
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author Ke Han
Xiangyao Wang
Yan Wang
Xiaotong Niu
Jingyuan Xiang
Nan Ru
Chunxu Jia
Hongyi Sun
Zhengting He
Yujie Feng
Enqiang Linghu
Jing Ni
author_facet Ke Han
Xiangyao Wang
Yan Wang
Xiaotong Niu
Jingyuan Xiang
Nan Ru
Chunxu Jia
Hongyi Sun
Zhengting He
Yujie Feng
Enqiang Linghu
Jing Ni
author_sort Ke Han
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Background:. Epidemiological data on chronic diarrhea in the Chinese population are lacking, and the association between obesity and chronic diarrhea in East Asian populations remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a representative community-dwelling Chinese population. Methods:. This cross-sectional study was based on a multistage, randomized cluster sampling involving 3503 residents aged 20–69 years from representative urban and rural communities in Beijing. Chronic diarrhea was assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the relationship between obesity and chronic diarrhea. Results:. The standardized prevalence of chronic diarrhea in the study population was 12.88%. The average BMI was 24.67 kg/m2. Of all the participants, 35.17% (1232/3503) of participants were classified as overweight and 16.13% (565/3503) as obese. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with obesity had an increased risk of chronic diarrhea as compared to normal weight individuals (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–2.06). A nonlinear association between BMI and the risk of chronic diarrhea was observed in community residents of males and the overall participant group (P = 0.026 and 0.017, respectively). Conclusions:. This study presents initial findings on the prevalence of chronic diarrhea among residents of Chinese communities while offering substantiated evidence regarding the significant association between obesity and chronic diarrhea. These findings offer a novel perspective on gastrointestinal health management.
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spelling doaj-art-1e4091d7c1d04bc39adbf3af4d68aa702025-08-20T03:13:44ZengWolters KluwerChinese Medical Journal0366-69992542-56412025-07-01138131587159410.1097/CM9.0000000000003190202507050-00011Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based populationKe Han0Xiangyao Wang1Yan Wang2Xiaotong Niu3Jingyuan Xiang4Nan Ru5Chunxu Jia6Hongyi Sun7Zhengting He8Yujie Feng9Enqiang Linghu10Jing Ni1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China1 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, ChinaAbstract. Background:. Epidemiological data on chronic diarrhea in the Chinese population are lacking, and the association between obesity and chronic diarrhea in East Asian populations remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a representative community-dwelling Chinese population. Methods:. This cross-sectional study was based on a multistage, randomized cluster sampling involving 3503 residents aged 20–69 years from representative urban and rural communities in Beijing. Chronic diarrhea was assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the relationship between obesity and chronic diarrhea. Results:. The standardized prevalence of chronic diarrhea in the study population was 12.88%. The average BMI was 24.67 kg/m2. Of all the participants, 35.17% (1232/3503) of participants were classified as overweight and 16.13% (565/3503) as obese. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with obesity had an increased risk of chronic diarrhea as compared to normal weight individuals (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–2.06). A nonlinear association between BMI and the risk of chronic diarrhea was observed in community residents of males and the overall participant group (P = 0.026 and 0.017, respectively). Conclusions:. This study presents initial findings on the prevalence of chronic diarrhea among residents of Chinese communities while offering substantiated evidence regarding the significant association between obesity and chronic diarrhea. These findings offer a novel perspective on gastrointestinal health management.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003190
spellingShingle Ke Han
Xiangyao Wang
Yan Wang
Xiaotong Niu
Jingyuan Xiang
Nan Ru
Chunxu Jia
Hongyi Sun
Zhengting He
Yujie Feng
Enqiang Linghu
Jing Ni
Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
Chinese Medical Journal
title Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
title_full Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
title_fullStr Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
title_short Prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a Chinese community-based population
title_sort prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a chinese community based population
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003190
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