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Objectives Psoriasis is common in childhood. The aim of this study was to present the clinical and epidemiological profile of childhood psoriasis in China. Methods A total of 277 childhood psoriasis patients younger than 16 years old were enrolled. Statistical analysis and heritability were performed using EPI INFO 6.0,spss 10.0 and Falconer's method. Results The median age was 11 years. The male : female ratio was 1 : 1.13. The median age of onset was 10 years. Of the patients, 48.7% had previous episodes of psoriasis. Of the 277 children with psoriasis, 68.6% had plaque-type psoriasis, 28.9% had guttate psoriasis, 1.1% presented pustular forms of psoriasis and 1.4% had erythroderma. The extensor surface of the extremities was the most frequently affected site in our patients, followed by the appearance of lesions on the scalp. A positive family history of psoriasis was found in 34.3% patients. The prevalence of psoriasis in first- and second-degree relatives was 7.0% and 1.0%, respectively. The heritability of psoriasis in first- and second-degree relatives was 72.67% and 55.18%, respectively. Conclusion Our epidemiologic studies offer the information about Han Chinese distribution, which provide clues to describe psoriasis in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether lung cancer clusters in families in a high incidence county of China, an analysis was conducted using data on domestic fuel history and tobacco use for family members of 740 deceased lung cancer probands and 740 controls (probands' spouses). Lung cancer prevalence was compared among first-degree relatives of probands and of controls, taking into account various factors using logistic regression and generalised estimating equations. First-degree relatives of probands, compared with those of controls, showed an excess risk of lung cancer (odds ratio (OR)=2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68-2.53). Overall, female relatives of probands had a greater risk than did their male counterparts, and the risk was 2.90-fold for parents of probands as compared with parents of spouses. Female relatives of probands had 2.67-fold greater risk than female controls. Lung cancer risk was particularly marked among mothers (OR=3.78, 95% CI: 2.03-7.12). Having two or more affected relatives was associated with a 2.69-5.40-fold risk increase. The risk elevation was also found for other cancers overall. Results confirm previous findings of a genetic predisposition to lung cancer, and also imply that lung cancer may share a genetic background with other cancers.

To determine the relation between genetic factor and lung cancer We selected 370 lung cancer probands in Xuanwei county, Yunan Province China. The data on 370 nuclear families were analysed. The segregation ratio of lung cancer was 0.15 and the genetic model of lung cancer belonged to polygenetics. The heritability of lung cancer was 24.6%, 14.6% for male and 37.8% for female. It is concluded that genetic factor is one of the risk factors for lung cancer is specially of importance for females, but it is not a main risk factor for lung cancer. Our results are helpful in complaining the high incidence of lung cancer in females in Xuanwei county.

Lung cancer aggregation was analyzed in relatives of the proband compared with those of his/her spouse in 370 nuclear families. Results showed the relatives of the proband had a greater risk of lung cancer compared with those of his/her spouse with an OR of 1.85 (P < 0.01). Even more, female relatives of the proband had much greater risk of lung cancer than those of his/her spouse with and OR of 2.64 (P < 0.01). It suggested relatives of the proband are more vulnerable to lung cancer than those of his/her spouse and genetic factor may contribute to pathogenesis of lung cancer.