High prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its risk factors among Tibetan highlanders living in Tsarang, Mustang district of Nepal

• DOI: 10.1186/s40101-022-00283-3
• Publication Date: 2022-04-02T09:03:06Z
• Authors: Hiroaki Arima; Sweta Koirala; Kotaro Nema; Masayuki Nakano; Hiromu Ito; Kapil Madi Poudel; Kishor Pandey; Basu Dev Pandey; Taro Yamamoto
• Keywords: Medical History; Rheumatoid factor

In Tsarang (at 3560 m), which is located in Mustang, 62.7% of the residents answered that they had a subjective medical history arthritis, and 41.1% their families arthritis on survey conducted 2017. The expression hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) its effects are deeply involved hypoxic adaptation Tibetan highlanders. At same time, HIF also related to onset rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, adaptive mechanism acquired by highlanders may promote development prevalence estimated be approximately 0.5-1.0% worldwide. objective this study was estimate using existing diagnostic criteria explore risk factors.An epidemiological 2019. Data obtained from anthropometry questionnaires were statistically analyzed. Biochemical measurements blood samples performed, results used assess status. Residents' joint status scored, assessed based clinical disease activity index ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria.Twenty-seven males 50 females participated survey. Tsarang, classified 4.3% 7.1% as having indicating very high prevalence. We performed multivariate analysis factors, two older age (standardized parameter = 4.84E-01, 95% CI [9.19E-02, 8.76E-01], p 0.0170) living urban areas - 5.49E-01, [- 9.21E-01, 1.77E-01], 0.0050), significantly contributed higher score females. addition, three no spouse 3.17E-01, [5.74E-02, 5.77E-01], 0.0179), smoking habit 2.88E-01, [1.71E-02, 5.59E-01], 0.0377), 3.69E-01, 6.83E-01, 5.60E-02], 0.0219), resulted scores Furthermore, habits found increase hyaluronic acid both 6.03E-01, [3.06E-01, 9.01E-01], 0.0020) 4.87E-01, [5.63E-02, 9.18E-01], 0.0291).In study, we evaluated symptoms classification for who have adapted environment fostered own culture. among suggests involving or exacerbation not only environmental factors analyzed but genes. Further investigation needed clarify genetic involved.