Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2026, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (9): 999-1002.doi: 10.11958/20260988

• Epidemiological Survey • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A study on the relationship between hypertension prevalence and altitude in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang

LIU Xinlin1,2(), LUO Tinggang3, DU Zhenhua4, AMUERDING Reyijiapu2, BAO Buhe4,△()   

  1. 1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300162, China
    2 Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County 300162, China
    3 Department of Infection Control, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force 300162, China
    4 Department of Clinical Laboratory, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force 300162, China
  • Received:2026-04-16 Revised:2026-06-23 Published:2026-09-15 Online:2026-09-14
  • Contact: △E-mail:baobuhe1986@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the association between altitude and the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among residents in the high-altitude areas of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang (referred to as “Taxian”). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 20 667 permanent residents aged ≥18 years from 11 townships (towns) in Taxian. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to the altitude gradient of the townships: the altitude < 2 800 m group (2 351 cases), the altitude 2 800-3 300 m group (13 254 cases) and the altitude ≥ 3 300 m group (5 062 cases). The gender, ethnicity, age, occupation, educational level, HTN prevalence and family history, smoking and drinking habits, physical exercise, and physical examination indicators [height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), non-consecutive three blood pressure measurements] of the study subjects were collected. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors related to HTN prevalence. Results The standardized prevalence rate of HTN in Taxian residents was 25.92%. There were statistically significant differences in age, Tajik ethnicity, occupation (agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry), HTN family history, educational level, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, HTN and BMI distribution between the different altitude groups (P<0.01).The prevalence of HTN showed an increasing trend with the increase of altitude (χ2=83.360, P<0.01). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the age of 45-59 years old, ≥ 60 years old, Tajik ethnicity, occupation (agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry), HTN family history, BMI being overweight and obese, altitude 2 800-3 300 m and≥ 3 300 m areas were risk factors for HTN, and BMI being underweight was a protective factor for HTN (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension among adults in the high-altitude area of Taxian, Xinjiang, is relatively high, and the risk of developing hypertension increases with increasing altitude.

Key words: hypertension, altitude, prevalence, Xinjiang, precision prevention and control

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