Objective To explore the number variation trend of inpatients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in high altitude and plain areas. Methods The first page information in medical records of TBI patients, who were admitted to military hospitals from 2001 to 2007, was searched and extracted from the Chinese Trauma Database. Two military hospitals in high altitude area and another two in the same hospital level in plain area were selected. Then, the number variation trend of TBI inpatients in those two areas was compared. Results In high altitude area, the proportion of male patients and their median inpatient days were higher, while the age, proportion of Han patients and surgery rate were lower than those in plain area (all Plt;0.001). During 2001-2007, there were 9 141 TBI patients discharged from the four hospitals, and the average annual growth rate was 13.15%. In high altitude area, the average annual growth rate of discharged inpatients was 24.00%, while in plain area, it was just 7.09%. The 4 common categories of TBI were intracranial injury, open wound of the head, neck and trunk, skull fracture, and other injuries. Conclusion Compared with the plain area, there are significant differences in the demographics, hospital stay and surgery of inpatients in high altitude area. The average annual growth rate of TBI inpatients discharged from hospitals in high altitude area is faster than that in plain area, to which should be paid attention by relevant departments.
Objective To observe the changes and influencing factors on pulse oxygen saturation and hemoglobin in Tibetan residents of 4 200 meters above sea level. Methods The health examination data of the Tibetan village residents were collected in Rerong Country, Shannan Prefecture of Tibet autonomous region from January 4 to February 4, 2012. And the information of pulse oxygen saturation was recorded at the same time. The residents were categorized by sex, age and smoking history to observe the difference in each group. Results The clinical data of 234 healthy Tibetan residents were collected with average age of (37.9±13.9) years old, and 97 were male (41.5%). There were no difference in pulse oxygen saturation [(86.1±3.4)% and (86.0±4.7)%, P=0.784) between male and female residents, and heart rate of the male was less than that of the female [(77.9±9.8) bpm and (81.1±12.1) bpm, P=0.036], while the hemoglobin content was higher in male residents [(164.5±15.4) g/L and (139.1±19.2) g/L, P=0.000). With the increase of age, especially in the group older than 60 years, the pulse oxygen saturation significantly decreased (P=0.003), while hemoglobin content showed a gradual increase trend (P=0.000). And in the group which smoking history more than 20 pack-years, the pulse oxygen saturation was lesser than the other groups, and the hemoglobin content increased (P=0.000). Conclusions The pulse oxygen saturation level of Tibetan residents of 4 200 meters above sea level is negatively correlated with age and smoking history, and the level of hemoglobin is positively correlated with age and smoking history. In resting state, there is no significant difference in heart rate between the groups divided by ages.
Objective To observe the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at different altitudes in Yunnan Province. MethodsA retrospective case-control study. From July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2019, 1 352 premature infants (Kunming group) and 579 premature (Dehong group) infants who received ROP screening in the Neonatology Department of Kunming Maternal and Child Health Hospital and the Neonatology Department of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture People's Hospital were included in the study. A wide field digital retinal imaging system combined with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope and scleral oppressor was used for fundus examination. Inspection results were recorded according to the international ROP classification. The incidence of ROP in recent 10 years was retrospectively analyzed. Independent sample t test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsAmong the 1 352 preterm infants in Kunming group, 716 were males and 636 were females. The birth weight was (1 765.75±357.64) g; gestational age of birth were (32.51±2.07) weeks. The altitude of the residence was (1 920±30) m. Among 579 premature infants in Dehong group, 302 were males and 277 were females. The birth weight was (1 762.54±401.73) g; gestational age of birth were (32.10±2.36) weeks. The altitude of the residence was (920±80) m. There was no significant difference in sex composition ratio (χ2=0.10, P=0.75) and birth weight (t=0.17, P=0.87) between the two groups (P≥0.05). Gestational age and elevation of residence were compared, and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.82, 35.15; P＜0.01). ROP was detected in 72 cases 144 eyes (5.32%, 72/1 352) in Kunming group and 55 cases 110 eyes (9.5%, 55/579) in Dehong group. Both cases were binocular. There was significant difference in the detection rate of ROP between the two groups (χ2=11.49, P＜0.01). ROP stages 1 to 3 in Kunming and Dehong groups were 128 (88.89%, 128/144), 6 (4.17%, 6/144), 6 (4.17%, 6/144) eyes and 18 (16.36%, 18/110), 66 (60.00%, 66/110), 22 (20.00%, 22/110) eyes. The acute ROP (A-ROP) was 4 (2.78, 4/144) and 4 (3.63%, 4/110) eyes in Kunming and Dehong groups, respectively. There were significant differences in the detection rates of ROP in stages 1 to 3 between the two groups (χ2=11.26, 66.48, 15.86, 0.76; P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the detection rate of A-ROP (χ2=0.76, P＞0.05). ConclusionThe detection rate of ROP in high altitude area of Yunnan Province is significantly lower than that in low altitude area.
Objective To explore the clinical features, treatment measures, disease outcomes, and differences in patients with asthma admitted to hospitals in Qinghai and Tibetan Plateau, and further analyze the risk factors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 297 patients with asthma admitted to Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital and Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from 2015 to 2021. A standardized case report form (CRF) was designed and used to collect patients' general information, International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), clinical symptoms, treatment, laboratory examination, and pulmonary function test data. The clinical features of the patients were described, and the risk factors of the clinical features of asthma patients admitted to hospitals in Qinghai and Tibetan Plateau were analyzed by using a stepwise Logistic regression model. Results A total of 297 patients with asthma admitted to hospitals in Qinghai and Tibetan Plateau were included in this study. The overall pulmonary function of asthma patients admitted to hospitals in Qinghai was worse than that in Tibetan Plateau (FEV1/FVC%: 73.22±13.59 vs. 80.70±18.36, P<0.001; TLC: 101.50 vs. 163.00, P=0.001). The incidence of related clinical symptoms in asthma patients admitted to hospitals in Qinghai were higher than those in Tibetan Plateau (dyspnea: 98.0% v.s. 66.0%, P<0.001; cyanosis: 82.0% v.s. 34.0%, P<0.001; pulmonary rales: 80.7% v.s. 70.7%, P=0.046). There was no significant difference in treatment measures between patients in Qinghai and Tibetan Plateau (P>0.05). The main factors contributing to the differences in clinical characteristics between the two regions were the altitude of residence (OR=0.94,95%CI:0.91-0.98,P=0.004) and the co-existence of allergic diseases (OR=9.47,95%CI:2.68-3347.07,P=0.012).ConclusionCompared with Tibet, the incidence of asthma symptoms and poorer lung function were higher among inpatients with asthma in Qinghai; there was no significant difference in treatment measures between the two regions, but there was a significant difference in prognosis; the main factors contributing to the differences in clinical characteristics between the two regions were the altitude of residence and the co-existence of allergic diseases.