Skip to main content
International Orthopaedics logoLink to International Orthopaedics
. 2001 Apr 12;25(3):180–187. doi: 10.1007/s002640100247

Epidemiological support for a multifactorial aetiology of Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet

C Suetens 1, R Moreno-Reyes 3, C Chasseur 2, F Mathieu 1, F Begaux 1, E Haubruge 4, M Durand 1, J Nève 3, J Vanderpas 3
PMCID: PMC3620646  PMID: 11482537

Abstract

We carried out a cross-sectional study in 12 rural villages in order to identify the risk factors for Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet. Children aged 5–15 years (n=575) were examined and their corresponding houses were visited. Samples were collected in order to study fungal contamination of stored grain and the organic matter content of drinking water. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression and population attributable fractions were computed to estimate the impact of each factor. The following variables were independently associated with the disease: age, gender, low socio-economic status, indicators of a poorly diversified diet, iodine deficiency and small water container size (with higher organic matter levels in small containers). Selenium deficiency was severe in all study subjects. The degree of fungal contamination of barley grain was related to the highest percentage of cases (65%) in a sample of the study population. Higher urinary iodine levels were not associated with decreasing prevalence rates when Alternaria sp. was isolated. The data that we report supports the hypothesis that Kashin-Beck disease occurs as a consequence of oxidative damage to cartilage and bone cells when associated with decreased antioxidant defence. Another mechanism that may coexist is bone remodelling stimulated by thyroid hormones whose actions can be blocked by certain mycotoxins.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (64.7 KB).

Footnotes

Electronic Publication


Articles from International Orthopaedics are provided here courtesy of Springer-Verlag

RESOURCES