Low initial body fat percentage exacerbates skeletal muscle loss and increases the risk of hyperuricemia during high-altitude acclimatization in young men

TL;DR

Young men with low body fat who move to high altitudes are more likely to lose muscle mass and develop high uric acid levels.

Contribution

This study identifies initial body fat percentage and changes in skeletal muscle mass as predictors of hyperuricemia during high-altitude acclimatization.

Findings

Low initial body fat percentage is associated with greater skeletal muscle mass loss at high altitude.

Decreased skeletal muscle mass and low initial body fat percentage are independent risk factors for hyperuricemia.

Over 60% of young men developed hyperuricemia after one year at high altitude.

Abstract

The incidence of hyperuricemia (HUA) increases significantly after individuals ascend to a high-altitude environment, particularly among young men. Previous studies have shown correlations between skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, and serum uric acid levels. However, whether changes in body composition under high-altitude conditions influence the occurrence of HUA has not been reported.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of initial body fat percentage (BF%) and changes in body composition on the development of HUA in young men after 1 year at high altitude.

In this prospective observational study, 216 young men who relocated from a plain area to a high-altitude area for 1 year were enrolled. Data on basic information, body composition, and laboratory measurements were collected both before relocation and after the one-year period.

After 1 year at high altitude, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) decreased significantly. Linear regression analysis revealed that the change in SMM was correlated with the initial BF%; a lower initial BF% was associated with a more pronounced decrease in SMM (b = 0.186, p < 0.001). A total of 136 participants (62.96%) were diagnosed with HUA after 1 year. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed high altitude (OR = 2.217, p < 0.05), low SMM (OR = 0.920, p < 0.05), low initial BF% (4–8%: OR = 3.142, p < 0.05; ≤4%: OR = 4.489, p < 0.01), and a decrease in SMM (−1.5 to −2.5 kg: OR = 2.599, p < 0.05; ≤−2.5 kg: OR = 3.263, p < 0.05) as risk factors for HUA. After adjusting for altitude and SMM, a decrease in SMM (−1.5 to −2.5 kg: OR = 2.735, p < 0.05; ≤−2.5 kg: OR = 3.198, p < 0.05) and low initial BF% (4–8%: OR = 2.687, p < 0.05; <4%: OR = 3.708, p < 0.01) remained predictive factors for HUA.

Our findings indicate that for young men moving from plains to high altitudes, the BF% and the change in SMM can be used to predict the incidence of hyperuricemia after 1 year.

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