@article{GUAN2026, 
author = {Haidong GUAN and Qi CUI and Yujie HUANG and Hongchen XIE and Xiaoling TAN and Xiaoyong HUANG},
title = {Heart rate and cholesterol: Exploration of potential risk indicators and screening significance for retinal vascular abnormalities in non-Tibetan young men residing at high altitudes for 1.5 years},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Army Medical University},
volume = {48},
number = {1},
pages = {86-93},
keywords = {military medicine, plateau, retinal vascular changes, arteriovenous ratio of the retina, hematological changes},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511086},
doi = {10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511086},
abstract = {ObjectiveTo explore the impact of living at high altitudes for 1.5 years on the retinal blood vessels among healthy non-Tibetan young males and to screen related hematological and physiological indicators, providing a basis for increasing the eye examination items in high-altitude regions.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data screening and collation were conducted between September 2024 and September 2025. The study subjects comprised non-Tibetan young adult males who, by December 2024, had been residing continuously at an altitude of 4100 m for 1.5 years. Among the 180 participants, 65 had retinal vascular abnormalities and 115 were normal. Two independent samples rank-sum test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between the hematological and physiological indicators and retinal vascular abnormalities.ResultsThe incidence of retinal vascular abnormalities was 36.11%. Two independent samples rank-sum test showed no statistical difference between the 2 groups in chronic mountain sickness (CMS) (P=0.527), while the P-values less than 0.2 were observed in term of heart rate (P=0.033), average visual reaction time (P=0.07), γ-glutamyl transferase (P=0.18), total cholesterol (P=0.033), triglycerides (P=0.149), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.095), platelet count (P=0.141), and plateletcrit (P=0.066). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that heart rate (OR=1.033, 95%CI: 1.003 to 1.064, P=0.033) and total cholesterol (OR=1.868, 95%CI: 1.004 to 3.477, P=0.049) were positively, while average visual reaction time (OR=0.035, 95%CI: 0.002 to 0.723, P=0.03) was negatively correlated with the risk of retinal vascular changes.ConclusionThe incidence of retinal vascular abnormalities is relatively high among healthy young men who have resided in high-altitude areas for 1.5 years. Increased heart rate and elevated total cholesterol level are independent risk factors for retinal vascular changes, while prolonged visual reaction time is associated with a reduced risk of such changes.CountermeasuresRegular fundus photography helps identify retinal vascular changes at an early stage, which has important clinical significance for preventing the occurrence and development of high-altituderelated retinopathy and even high-altitude cerebral edema. It is recommended to include fundus photography in the health monitoring system for personnel residing in high-altitude areas.}
}