Study of the incidence of hyperuricemia in young males’ population with rapid entry into the plateau of 4 500m

Abstract

Objective To study the incidence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in young males who rapid entered into the plateau of 4 500 m. Methods The study contained 390 males aged 18–35 years (21.6 ± 2.5 years), who rapidly entered the plateau with an altitude of 4 500 m. According to their basic level of uric acid (UA), they were divided into two groups, high uric acid (HUA) group and normal uric acid (NUA) group. The characteristics and physiological index, such as the body weight and the height, of them were recorded. For the test of the biochemical indicators, the venous blood samples were collected at the altitude of 4 500 m in the morning. The count of blood cells, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and indirect bilirubin (IDBIL) were compared between the two groups. Results The incidence of hyperuricemia was 65.1% (254/390) at 4 500 m. At the altitude of 4 500 m, the mean hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of red blood cells in the HUA group was significantly lower than that in the NUA group. Hemoglobin (HGB), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), TBIL, IDBIL, BUN, SCR and LDH in the HUA group were significantly higher than those in the NUA group, though without statistically significant differences in the other variables. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed at the altitude of 4 500 m, the risk of HUA increased by 0.982, 1.038 and 1.045 times when MCHC decreased by one unit and TBIL and SCR increased by one unit, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of hyperuricemia was high of 65.1% rush entry into the plateau of young male. Decreased MCHC and elevated TBIL and SCR were independent risk factors for hyperuricemia when rapid enter into 4 500 m.