Objective:To study the relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration, anemia rate in the third trimester and the altitudes, pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Tibet rural areas.Methods:This prospective study collected clinical and laboratory data of 390 Tibetan pregnant women who delivered after 28 gestational weeks at Chaya People's Hospital, Changdu city, Tibet autonomous region, from May 2020 to March 2021. Blood routine examination was performed at admission and 24-72 h postpartum using an automatic hematologic analyzer. According to the hemoglobin standard adjusted for altitude by World Health Organization (WHO), the association between pregnancy outcomes and maternal hemoglobin levels and anemia rate before and after adjustment were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, and Spearman correlation tests. Results:(1) In these women, the mean actual hemoglobin concentration in the third trimester was (121±16) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 23.8% (93/390) and 20.3% (79/390), respectively. (2) After adjustment, the mean hemoglobin concentration was (93±17) g/L, and the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia was 84.4% (329/390) and 30.5% (119/390), respectively. (3) Actual hemoglobin levels showed an increasing tendency as the altitude rose. At the altitude of 3 000-3 500 m, >3 500-4 000 m, and >4 000 m, the mean hemoglobin levels were (118±15) g/L, (119±17) g/L, and (124±16) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=7.38, P=0.007). However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia did not differ significantly between different altitude ( P>0.05). (4) Corrected hemoglobin levels were negatively associated with the altitude ( r=－0.31, P<0.001). At the altitude of 3 000~3 500 m, 3 500~4 000 m and >4 000 m, the mean corrected hemoglobin levels were (100±15) g/L, (92±17) g/L, and (87±18) g/L, respectively ( Ftrend=30.36, P<0.001). The prevalence of anemia increased with altitude ( χ2trend=15.44, P<0.001), but no association was observed between microcytic hypochromic anemia and altitudes ( P>0.05). (5) No association was found between actual or corrected anemia in the third trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes, nor the hemoglobin level before or after adjustment and neonatal birth weight. Conclusions:In Tibet rural areas, the mean actual hemoglobin level in pregnant women tends to increase with the altitude. However, the prevalence of anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia remains high and more attention should be paid to iron supplementary during pregnancy. After adjusting hemoglobin concentration based on WHO standard, more women were diagnosed as having anemia during pregnancy in this area, and the applicability of the diagnostic criteria for Tibetan residents requires further investigations.

Objective:To analyze the lipid levels, adverse perinatal outcome and their correlation in Tibetan pregnant women in high altitudes in late pregnancy.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on clinical and laboratory data of 523 Tibetan singleton pregnant women who delivered after 28 weeks at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaya People's Hospital, Changdu City. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the altitude of their long-term residence, including altitude<3 500 m (Group A, n=161), altitude ≥3 500 m and <4 000 m (Group B, n=203) and altitude≥4 000 m (Group C, n=159). In addition, the subjects were also grouped into high TG group (TG≥3.23 mmol/L, n=80) and control group (TG<3.23 mmol/L, n=443). The baseline information, levels of lipid and perinatal outcome were compared among Group A,B and C, and also between the high TG and control group, respectively, using Mann-whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, LSD- t, Chi-square test, or Fisher exact test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also applied to analyze the correlation between hypertriglyceridemia and adverse perinatal outcome. Results:The maternal age, gravidity and parity, body mess index, blood pressure on admission and total cholesterol (TC), TG, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), TG/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in late pregnancy and the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcome did not show any significant differences among Group A, B and C (all P>0.05). However, the hemoglobin (Hb) level increased with the elevation of altitude as expected, and that in Group C was higher than that in Group A and B [121.0 g/L (108.0-132.0 g/L) vs 115.0 g/L (103.5-128.0 g/L) and 117.0 g/L (101.0-127.0 g/L), H=2.37 and 1.97, both P<0.05]. The proportion of women with hypertriglyceridemia, the high TG group, in late pregnancy was 15.3% (80/523), and no significant difference was found in HDL-C or Hb levels between the high TG and control group [1.7 mmol/L (1.5-2.0 mmol/L) vs 1.8 mmol/L (1.5-2.1 mmol/L), Z=－1.51;123.5 g/L (110.0-131.8 g/L) vs 117.0 g/L (104.0-128.0 g/L), Z=1.69; both P>0.05]. Higher rates of cesarean section [13.8% (11/80) vs 6.6% (29/443), χ2＝4.98], hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) [16.3% (13/80) vs 7.5% (33/443), χ2＝6.54], preeclampsia (PE) [8.8% (7/80) vs 1.6% (7/443), χ2＝13.37], hyperglycemia during pregnancy [11.3%( 9/80) vs 3.6% (16/443), χ2＝8.69], preterm birth (PB) [7.5% (6/80) vs 2.0% (9/443), χ2＝7.27], microsomia [5.0% (4/80) vs 0.9% (4/443), Fisher exact test] and neonatal asphyxia [8.8%(7/80) vs 2.5% (11/443), χ2＝8.01] were observed in the high TG group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Regarding the pregnant women at different altitude, TG was negatively correlated with Hb ( r=－0.17, P=0.037) only in Group C .Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed higher risk of HDP ( OR=2.42,95% CI:1.17-5.00), PE ( OR=5.25, 95% CI:1.73-16.00), hyperglycemia during pregnancy ( OR=3.77, 95% CI:1.56-9.09), PB ( OR=4.33, 95% CI:1.42-13.22), microsomia ( OR=4.33, 95% CI:1.42-13.22), neonatal asphyxia ( OR=3.45, 95% CI:1.27-9.35) and fetal demise ( OR=4.94, 95% CI:1.01-24.21) in women with high TG level in late pregnancy (all P<0.05). Conclusions:There were no differences in adverse perinatal outcomes or serum lipid levels in late pregnancy among women living at different high altitudes. However, hypertriglyceridemia at the third trimester is closely associated with the incidence of HDP, PE, hyperglycemia during pregnancy, PB, microsomia, neonatal asphyxia and fetal demise in this group of women.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the safety and efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the treatment of eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in Lhasa, Tibet.Methods:A retrospective case series. From September 2018 to January 2022, a total of 41 patients (41 eyes) with BRVO-ME, who were diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology of Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, were included in this study. There were 21 eyes in 21 males and 20 eyes in 20 females. The median age was 53 (31,75) years. There were 24 patients with hypertension (58.8%, 24/41). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular pressure, fundus color photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed in all eyes. The BCVA was performed using the international standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was converted into logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA for record. The foveal macular thickness (CMT) was measured by OCT. All eyes were treated with intravitreous injection of anti-VEGF drugs, once a month, among which 23 eyes (56.1%, 23/41) received intravitreous injection of ranibizumab (IVR), and 18 eyes (43.9%, 18/41) received intravitreous injection of conbercept (IVC), and were grouped accordingly. There was no significant difference in age ( Z=-0.447), gender composition ( Z=-0.485), logMAR BCVA ( t=-1.591), intraocular pressure ( t=-0.167) and CMT ( t=-1.290) between two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, the same devices and methods were used at baseline to perform relevant examinations, and the changes of BCVA, intraocular pressure, CMT and new cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were compared between baseline and the last follow-up. logMAR BCVA, intraocular pressure and CMT were compared between baseline and last follow-up using Student t test. The comparison of injection times and follow-up time between IVR group and IVC group was conducted by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:At baseline, logMAR BCVA, intraocular pressure, and CMT were 0.852±0.431, (12.5±2.5) mm Hg (1 mm Hg= 0.133 kPa), and (578.1±191.1) μm, respectively. At the last follow-up, the number of anti-VEGF drug treatments was (2.7±1.2) times; logMAR BCVA and CMT were 0.488±0.366 and (207.4±108.7) μm, respectively, with CMT > 250 μm in 14 eyes (34.1%, 14/41). Compared with baseline, BCVA ( t=4.129) and CMT ( t=-0.713) were significantly improved, with statistical significance ( P<0.001). The injection times of IVR group and IVC group were (2.6±0.9) and (3.0±1.5) times, respectively. There were no significant differences in the number of injection times ( t=-1.275), logMAR BCVA ( t=-0.492), intraocular pressure ( t=0.351) and CMT ( t=-1.783) between the two groups ( P>0.05). No new hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in all patients during follow-up. At the last follow-up, there were no eye complications related to treatment modalities and drugs. Conclusion:Short-term anti-VEGF treatment can improve the visual acuity of BRVO secondary ME patients and alleviate ME in Lhasa, Tibet. The safety and efficacy of ranibizumab and conbercept were similar.

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Motuo County from 2012 to 2021 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of PTB. A total of 223 cases of PTB were reported from 2012 to 2021 in Motuo County, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 171.39/100 000. Joinpoint regression model analysis showed that the average decline rate was 9.2% (P<0.001) from 2012 to 2021. Among the various types of PTB patients reported from 2012 to 2021, there were 69 cases of etiologic-positive cases which increased from 28.57% to 52.63%. Results from the circular distribution methods showed that there was no obvious peak time of PTB in Motuo County. There was no statistical difference in the average annual incidence of PTB between different genders (χ²=0.108, P=0.743). Among all age groups, the 20-29 years group had the highest proportion (26.91%, 60/223). The Monpa ethnic group (153 cases, 68.61%) had the largest number of cases, followed by the Lhoba people (44 cases, 19.73%) and the Tibetan (22 cases, 9.87%). Farmers (168 cases, 75.34%) had the highest occupational composition ratio, followed by students (40 cases, 17.94%). The main detection methods of PTB were clinical consultation and transferring consultation. Overall, the incidence rate of PTB decreased from 2012 to 2021. The majority of PTB patients were young adults with high transmission risk. It is necessary to pay more attention to the key populations and strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control for reducing the risk of PTB.
Young Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Tibet/epidemiology* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/prevention & control* ; Incidence ; Students ; Ethnicity ; China/epidemiology*

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Motuo County from 2012 to 2021 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of PTB. A total of 223 cases of PTB were reported from 2012 to 2021 in Motuo County, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 171.39/100 000. Joinpoint regression model analysis showed that the average decline rate was 9.2% (P<0.001) from 2012 to 2021. Among the various types of PTB patients reported from 2012 to 2021, there were 69 cases of etiologic-positive cases which increased from 28.57% to 52.63%. Results from the circular distribution methods showed that there was no obvious peak time of PTB in Motuo County. There was no statistical difference in the average annual incidence of PTB between different genders (χ²=0.108, P=0.743). Among all age groups, the 20-29 years group had the highest proportion (26.91%, 60/223). The Monpa ethnic group (153 cases, 68.61%) had the largest number of cases, followed by the Lhoba people (44 cases, 19.73%) and the Tibetan (22 cases, 9.87%). Farmers (168 cases, 75.34%) had the highest occupational composition ratio, followed by students (40 cases, 17.94%). The main detection methods of PTB were clinical consultation and transferring consultation. Overall, the incidence rate of PTB decreased from 2012 to 2021. The majority of PTB patients were young adults with high transmission risk. It is necessary to pay more attention to the key populations and strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control for reducing the risk of PTB.
Young Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Tibet/epidemiology* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/prevention & control* ; Incidence ; Students ; Ethnicity ; China/epidemiology*

ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between complete blood count （CBC）， glycosylated hemoglobin（GHbA1c）and thyroid function in late pregnancy on Tibetan Plateau. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 374 patients of single pregnancies who had delivered in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology， Chaya People's Hospital， Changdu City， Tibet Autonomous Region， between January 1， 2021 and December 31， 2021. All subjects completed CBC， GHbA1c and total triiodothyronine（TT3）， total thyroxine（TT4）， thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH）before delivery. According to the altitude of long-term residence， they were divided into three groups： the altitude of group A is <3500 m； the altitude of group B is 3 500~4 000 m； and the altitude of group C is ＞4 000 m. The anemia of Tibetan pregnant women in late pregnancy before and after adjustment， the levels of CBC， GHbA1c and thyroid function in different altitudes， and their correlations were analyzed. Results① The mean actual hemoglobin（HB）was 120.0（108.0~130.0）g/L， and the prevalence of anemia was 27.8%（104/374）. After adjustment， the mean HB was 93.0（80.0~104.0）g/L， and the prevalence of anemia was 84.3 %（315/374）； ② Actual HB levels increased with the rise of altitude， but the difference was not statistically significant（P>0.05）， and there was no difference among the three groups in the prevalence of anemia. After adjustment， HB levels showed a downward trends， while the prevalence of anemia increased with the rise altitude， and the difference was statistically significant（P＜0.001）. ③ Red blood cell count（RBC）and mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration（MCHC）increased， while TSH decreased with the rise of altitude， and the difference was statistically significant（P＜0.05）. ④ The actual HB and MCHC were positively correlated with TT4， GHbA1c was negatively correlated with TT4， and positively correlated with Platelet count （PLT）； spearman correlation analysis showed statistical significance（P＜0.05）. ConclusionsThe actual HB of Tibetan Plateau pregnant women in late pregnancy does not increase significantly with the rise of altitude. The prevalence of anemia increases significantly after adjustment according to the altitude. TSH decreases with the rise of altitude， and the altitude may have an effect on thyroid function in late pregnancy. Actual anemia in late pregnancy is associated with low T4， and low T4 and high PLT might be associated with increased GHbA1c. Actual HB， PLT and T4 in late pregnancy are expected to be predictors of thyroid disease and GDM.