Studies on hypertension (HTN) in Tibetans who live in high altitude areas are less and whether total homocysteine level (tHcy) is associated with blood pressure (BP) levels or HTN status in Tibetans is unknown. A total of 1486 Tibetans with complete information from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Lhasa Chengguan County of Tibet were included in this study. Demographic data, self-reported history of disease, and life styles were collected using a questionnaire. Blood tHcy, creatinine, fasting plasma-glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and BP were measured with equipment. The median tHcy level of the whole population was 14.60 (13.17–16.50) μmol/L, and the prevalence of HTN was 26.99%. Regression models, adjusted for possible covariates, showed that an average increase of 1 lnHcy (log transformation of tHcy level) was associated with an increase of 3.78 mmHg of systolic BP (SBP, P = .011) and 3.02 mmHg of diastolic BP (DBP, P = .003). The prevalence of HTN, levels of SBP and DBP in the third (OR for HTN: 1.60, P = .026; β for SBP: 3.41, P = .004; β for DBP: 2.57, P = .002) and fourth (OR for HTN: 2.19, P < .001; β for SBP: 5.08, P < .001; β for DBP: 3.09, P < .001) quartile of tHcy level were higher than those in the first quartile. THcy is associated with BP levels and HTN status among Tibetans. Both HTN management and tHcy level should be paid more attention in Tibetans.

Tophaceous pseudogout is a calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal (CPPD) deposition disease that frequently affects elderly patient in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).A diagnosis of CPPD deposition disease in the TMJ is challenging due to its mimicking of other benign and malignant entities. Surgical exploration followed by histologic examination is by far the most frequently used diagnostic modality. We present a case of an 87-year-old female who presented with a right TMJ mass. A final diagnosis of tophaceous pseudogout was made on cellular material obtained by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-guided FNA). Based on our case and current available literature, ultrasound-guided FNA is a reliable tool for diagnosing tophaceous pseudogout of the TMJ. K E Y W O R D S calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease, chondrocalcinosis, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), tophaceous pseudogout, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-guided FNA)

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