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JOURNAL ARTICLE
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Rate of ascent and acute mountain sickness at high altitude.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 2015 March
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of ascent rate on the induction of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in young adults during a climb to Jiaming Lake (3350 m) in Taiwan.
DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized.
SETTING: Climb from 2370 to 3350 m.
PARTICIPANTS: Young adults (aged 18 to 26 years) (N = 91) chose to participate in either the fast ascent (3 days; n = 43) or slow ascent (4 days; n = 48) group (1 and 2).
ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Two criteria were used to define AMS. A Lake Louise score ≥3 and Lake Louise criteria [in the setting of a recent gain in altitude, the presence of headache and at least 1 of gastrointestinal discomfort (anorexia, nausea, or vomiting), fatigue or weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or difficulty sleeping].
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and symptoms of AMS were monitored each morning and evening.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for significant differences in history of alcohol consumption (P = 0.009) and climbing experience above 3000 m (P < 0.001). The incidence of AMS was not associated with the rate of ascent. Acute mountain sickness was most prevalent in group 1 on day 2 in the evening and in group 2 on day 3 in the evening. In both groups, AMS correlated with the initial reduction in SaO2. Body mass index (BMI) >24 kg/m was identified as a significant risk factor for AMS.
CONCLUSIONS: The development of AMS was closely associated with an initial reduction in SaO2. A BMI >24 kg/m also contributed to the occurrence of AMS.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings indicate that factors other than ascent rate should be considered when trying to ameliorate the risk of AMS.
DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized.
SETTING: Climb from 2370 to 3350 m.
PARTICIPANTS: Young adults (aged 18 to 26 years) (N = 91) chose to participate in either the fast ascent (3 days; n = 43) or slow ascent (4 days; n = 48) group (1 and 2).
ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Two criteria were used to define AMS. A Lake Louise score ≥3 and Lake Louise criteria [in the setting of a recent gain in altitude, the presence of headache and at least 1 of gastrointestinal discomfort (anorexia, nausea, or vomiting), fatigue or weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or difficulty sleeping].
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and symptoms of AMS were monitored each morning and evening.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for significant differences in history of alcohol consumption (P = 0.009) and climbing experience above 3000 m (P < 0.001). The incidence of AMS was not associated with the rate of ascent. Acute mountain sickness was most prevalent in group 1 on day 2 in the evening and in group 2 on day 3 in the evening. In both groups, AMS correlated with the initial reduction in SaO2. Body mass index (BMI) >24 kg/m was identified as a significant risk factor for AMS.
CONCLUSIONS: The development of AMS was closely associated with an initial reduction in SaO2. A BMI >24 kg/m also contributed to the occurrence of AMS.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings indicate that factors other than ascent rate should be considered when trying to ameliorate the risk of AMS.
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