Summary Analysis of National Surveillance on Kashin-Beck Disease from 1990 to 2023.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China, and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures.

Methods: Fixed-point monitoring, moving-point monitoring, and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7-12 years old) underwent clinical and right-hand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria, clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis.

Results: In 1990, the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01%. X-ray detection decreased to below 10% in 2003 and below 5% in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018, the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4%, which fluctuated at a low level, and has decreased to 0% since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas.

Conclusion: The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care.