Blood Type A linked to higher risk of hypertension and diabetes in the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland

This study investigates the genetic distribution of ABO and Rh blood types among the Chakhesang Naga tribe in Nagaland and their potential link to chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. The Chakhesang people were selected due to previously documented high rates of these conditions. A total of 100 individuals, evenly split between male and female participants, were surveyed and categorized into control and patient groups. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using the ABD antisera typing kit, and genetic frequencies were calculated using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and chi-square statistical methods.

The results revealed that individuals with blood type A showed a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes compared to those with blood types B and O. Specifically, blood type A was linked with an odds ratio of 4.4 for hypertension and 4.6 for diabetes, indicating a strong association. In contrast, blood type B showed a statistically lower risk for both conditions. Blood type O had high overall frequency in the population but was not significantly associated with the diseases. These findings suggest a potential genetic predisposition linked to blood type A in this tribal group.

Further genetic analysis, including neighbor-joining trees and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), showed that the Chakhesang tribe has close genetic relationships with nearby tribes like the Sumi, but is genetically distinct from broader Indian and global populations. The study emphasizes that genetic and environmental factors, like diet and healthcare access, likely influence these health outcomes. While the findings highlight important health risks within the Chakhesang tribe, the researchers caution that the limited sample size reduces generalizability, and larger studies are needed to validate the associations.