The Determinants of Hyperuricemia and Gout Two Aboriginal Tribes of Taiwan

Background and purpose: Health disparities between aborigines and non-aborigines are well documented. However, health care provided to the aboriginal community has been neglected for a long period of time. This study aimed to understand the determinants of hyperuricemia and gout in two aboriginal populations. Methods: 130 residents from 4 villages of the Tsou tribe and 111 residents from 3 villages of the Atayal tribe were compared to 272 non-aboriginal participants. Serum testing for liver function, lipid metabolism, renal function, and uric acid was performed. Results: The average value of GOT for the Atayal tribe was higher than for the Tsou tribe and non-aborigines (P＜O.0l). There was no difference in the values of GPT between the Atayal, the Tsou, and non-aborigines. Eighty percent of aborigines were found to have hyperuricemia, compared with only 36.0% of non-aborigines. The prevalence ofhyperuricemia and gout among Atayal tribe is significantly higher than that of Tsou tribe and non-aborigines. The prevalence of hyperuricemia is the highest in the Jen-I village of Nan-Tou County (9 1%), followed by Ta-Paytt village (80%) and Feng-San village (27%). The prevalence of gout is the highest in the Jen-I village of Nan-Tou County (40%), followed by Ho-Ping village of Taichung County (26%), and non-aborigines (1.5%). Conclusion: A high prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout was observed in Tsou and Atayal participants. The prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout is significantly different between aborigines residing in the low plain and those in mountain areas. Environmental factors may play an important role in determining the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in aborigines.