Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemic data of elderly empty-nesters with chronic diseases three rural areas of Qiannan in Guizhou province. Methods By adopting the cluster sampling,empty-nesters aged over 60 years old from 8 villages were selected as research subjects. Their epidemic data on chronic diseases were collected and analyzed. Results The prevalence of chronic diseases was71.3% in 485 elderly empty-nesters, and the prevalence was 72.2% in male and 70.7% in female. The prevalence was 70.7%、80.0% and 61.9% in Maonan, Shui and Buyi ethic groups respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.01). Hypertension, osteoarthrosis, lumbar diseases, eye diseases and digestive system disease were five most common chronic diseases reported in research subjects, and there was significant difference in prevalence of osteoarthrosis and lumbar diseases between difference ethic groups (P<0.05). The distribution of chronic diseases in ethic groups with different age, monthly costs or number of children has significant differences(P<0.01). Conclusions The chronic disease is one of the major diseases that can affect the health of elderly population in rural areas. Raising the awareness of prevention and interventions on risk factors of diseases are useful ways to improve the quality of life among elderly population.

Key words: Chronic diseases, Ethic group, Empty-nesters