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Wang YH, Chien WC, Chung CH, Her YN, Yao CY, Lee BL, Li FL, Wan FJ, Tzeng NS. Acute Mountain Sickness and the Risk of Subsequent Psychiatric Disorders-A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2868. [PMID: 36833565 PMCID: PMC9957283 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We aim to explore if there is a relationship between acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the risk of psychiatric disorders in Taiwan by using the National Health Insurance Research Database for to the rare studies on this topic. We enrolled 127 patients with AMS, and 1270 controls matched for sex, age, monthly insured premiums, comorbidities, seasons for medical help, residences, urbanization level, levels of care, and index dates were chosen from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015. There were 49 patients with AMS and 140 controls developed psychiatric disorders within the 16-year follow-up. The Fine-Gray model analyzed that the patients with AMS were prone to have a greater risk for the development of psychiatric disorders with an adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHRs) of 10.384 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.267-14.838, p < 0.001) for psychiatric disorders. The AMS group was associated with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder/acute stress disorder, psychotic disorder, and substance-related disorder (SRD). The relationship between anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, SRD, and AMS still persisted even after we excluded the psychiatric disorders within the first five years after AMS. There was an association between AMS and the rising risk of psychiatric disorders in the 16 years of long-term follow-up research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Chien Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- Taiwanese Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Association, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsiang Chung
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ning Her
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Yao
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Biing-Luen Lee
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City 23148, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ling Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, Beitou Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11243, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Jung Wan
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
- Student Counseling Center, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
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Hüfner K, Caramazza F, Pircher Nöckler ER, Stawinoga AE, Fusar-Poli P, Bhandari SS, Basnyat B, Brodmann Maeder M, Strapazzon G, Tomazin I, Zafren K, Brugger H, Sperner-Unterweger B. Association of Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions with Acute Mountain Sickness at Everest Base Camp. High Alt Med Biol 2022; 23:338-344. [PMID: 36070557 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hüfner, Katharina, Fabio Caramazza, Evelyn R. Pircher Nöckler, Agnieszka E. Stawinoga, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Sanjeeb S. Bhandari, Buddha Basnyat, Monika Brodmann Maeder, Giacomo Strapazzon, Iztok Tomazin, Ken Zafren, Hermann Brugger, and Barbara Sperner-Unterweger. Association of pre-existing mental health conditions with acute mountain sickness at Everest Base Camp. High Alt Med Biol. 23:338-344, 2022. Background: Mental health disorders are common, but limited data are available regarding the number of people with a past medical history of psychiatric diagnoses going to high altitude (HA). It is also unknown whether mental health conditions are associated with an increased risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods: We analyzed data from a previous study at Everest Base Camp. Participants self-reported their past medical history and history of substance use and had a brief history taken by a physician. AMS was assessed using the self-reported 2018 Lake Louise AMS Score. Results: Eighty-five participants (66 men and 19 women, age 38 ± 9 years) were included. When questioned by a physician, 28 participants reported prior diagnoses or symptoms compatible with depression (23%), anxiety disorder (6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (1%), and psychosis/psychotic experiences (9%). The prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in the past medical history was much lower in the self-reported data (2/85) compared to data obtained via physician assessment (28/85). Increased risks of AMS were associated with a past medical history of anxiety disorder (odds ratio [OR] 22.7; confidence interval [95% CI] 2.3-220.6; p < 0.001), depression (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.2-11.2; p = 0.022), and recreational drug use ever (OR 7.3; 95% CI 1.5-35.5; p = 0.006). Conclusions: Many people who travel to HA have a past medical history of mental health conditions. These individuals have an increased risk of scoring positive for AMS on the Lake Louise Score compared with people without a history of mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fabio Caramazza
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Evelyn R Pircher Nöckler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Buddha Basnyat
- Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Science, Nepal International, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Monika Brodmann Maeder
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,SIME Swiss Institute of Medical Education, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Iztok Tomazin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, Kranj, Slovenia
| | - Ken Zafren
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Burtscher J, Niedermeier M, Hüfner K, van den Burg E, Kopp M, Stoop R, Burtscher M, Gatterer H, Millet GP. The interplay of hypoxic and mental stress: Implications for anxiety and depressive disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104718. [PMID: 35661753 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adequate oxygen supply is essential for the human brain to meet its high energy demands. Therefore, elaborate molecular and systemic mechanism are in place to enable adaptation to low oxygen availability. Anxiety and depressive disorders are characterized by alterations in brain oxygen metabolism and of its components, such as mitochondria or hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-pathways. Conversely, sensitivity and tolerance to hypoxia may depend on parameters of mental stress and the severity of anxiety and depressive disorders. Here we discuss relevant mechanisms of adaptations to hypoxia, as well as their involvement in mental stress and the etiopathogenesis of anxiety and depressive disorders. We suggest that mechanisms of adaptations to hypoxia (including metabolic responses, inflammation, and the activation of chemosensitive brain regions) modulate and are modulated by stress-related pathways and associated psychiatric diseases. While severe chronic hypoxia or dysfunctional hypoxia adaptations can contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety and depressive disorders, harnessing controlled responses to hypoxia to increase cellular and psychological resilience emerges as a novel treatment strategy for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Niedermeier
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Erwin van den Burg
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience (CNP), University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Prilly, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Kopp
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ron Stoop
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience (CNP), University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Prilly, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Liu Z, Chen H, Xu T, Wang X, Yao C. HSPA1A gene polymorphism rs1008438 is associated with susceptibility to acute mountain sickness in Han Chinese individuals. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1322. [PMID: 32478477 PMCID: PMC7434611 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually occurs among non‐acclimated individuals after rapid ascending to high‐altitude environments (generally ≥2,500 m). However, the precise molecular mechanism of AMS remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and AMS susceptibility. Methods In this work, sequencing data were obtained from 69 AMS patients and 95 matched acclimated Han Chinese individuals from southwest China. Five SNPs (rs1008438, rs150877473, rs1799983, rs2153364, and rs3025039) were systematically investigated in all the participants. Results In our study, we found that allele frequencies of “A” (AMS 69.57% vs. non‐AMS 54.74%) and “C” (AMS 30.43% vs. non‐AMS 45.26%) in the HSPA1A gene rs1008438 were significantly different between the AMS and non‐AMS groups (p = .01). Genotypes “CC” and “CA” of the HSPA1A gene (rs1008438) were associated with lower risk of developing AMS than the genotype “AA.” Comparing the genotypes “CC + CA” and “AA,” we also observed that the “CC + CA” genotype of rs1008438 was associated with lower AMS risk. Conclusions In our case‐control study, there was a significant association between the rs1008348 polymorphism and AMS susceptibility, suggesting that this particular SNP might be a Han‐specific risk factor for AMS. We believe that this study establishes a foundation for further elucidation of the genetic mechanisms underlying AMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Liu
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyan Yao
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Hüfner K, Sperner-Unterweger B, Brugger H. Going to Altitude with a Preexisting Psychiatric Condition. High Alt Med Biol 2019; 20:207-214. [PMID: 31343257 PMCID: PMC6763955 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2019.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders have a high lifetime prevalence affecting about 30% of the global population. Not much is known about high altitude (HA) sojourns in individuals living with a psychiatric condition. This lack of scientific evidence contrasts with the anticipated increase in numbers of individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions seeking medical advice on HA exposure. Not only are there risks associated with a HA climb, but physical activity in general is known to improve symptoms of many psychiatric disorder and enhance measures of mental well-being like quality of life and resilience. There are additional positive effects of alpine environments on mental health beyond those of physical activity. All individuals going to HA with a preexisting psychiatric condition should be in a state of stable disease with no recent change in medication. Specific considerations and recommendations apply to individual psychiatric disorders. During the HA sojourn the challenge is to separate altitude-related symptoms such as insomnia from prodromal symptoms of the underlying disorder (e.g., depressive episode) or altitude-related hyperventilation from panic attacks. In case an individual with preexisting anxiety disorder decides to go to HA there might be a predisposition toward acute mountain sickness (AMS), but it should always be considered that many symptoms of anxiety and AMS overlap. Any medication that is anticipated to be taken during ascent or at HA should be tested for compatibility with the psychiatric condition and medication before the trip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
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The onset of sleep disturbances and their associations with anxiety after acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:175. [PMID: 31332159 PMCID: PMC6646382 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0510-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances and psychiatric repercussions pose great challenges at high altitude; however, few studies have investigated sleep disturbance and anxiety profiles and their associations after acute exposure in consecutive patients. Thus, we aimed to study the profiles of sleep disturbances in consecutive patients after high-altitude exposure and the association of such disturbances with anxiety. A total of 668 participants were recruited at sea level and 3700 m. The trials were performed at sea level (1 week prior to a 2-h flight to a high-altitude destination) and at 3700 m (24, 72, and 168 h). Sleep disturbances were assessed by self-reported sleep patterns and scores on the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). State anxiety was assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). In our study, the incidence of sleep disturbances increased significantly after acute high-altitude exposure (65.3%, 434/668) and then gradually decreased after 72 h (50%, 141/282) and 168 h (44%, 124/282). The sleep assessments AIS [2.0 (4.0) vs. 4.0 (5.0)] and ESS [4.0 (4.0) vs. 5.0 (5.0)] increased significantly (p < 0.05). Also, the SAS increased significantly from 26.25 (3.75) to 28.75 (7.5). The SAS was significantly high in sleep disturbance group [31.25 (7.5) vs. 27.5 (5), p < 0.001] than in the non-sleep- disturbance group. The baseline SAS and AIS scores were significantly higher in participants with sleep disturbances than in those without (p < 0.01). Age, baseline insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and higher SAS were predictors of sleep disturbances in univariate regression (all p values < 0.05). However, only an older age (p = 0.045) and a higher baseline SAS (p = 0.018) remained independent predictors of sleep disturbances. Our findings indicated that acute high-altitude exposure triggers the onset of sleep disturbances, which are closely associated with anxiety. Furthermore, baseline state anxiety and age are independent predictors of sleep disturbances at high altitude.
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Boos CJ, Bass M, O’Hara JP, Vincent E, Mellor A, Sevier L, Abdul-Razakq H, Cooke M, Barlow M, Woods DR. The relationship between anxiety and acute mountain sickness. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197147. [PMID: 29927953 PMCID: PMC6013200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Whilst the link between physical factors and risk of high altitude (HA)-related illness and acute mountain sickness (AMS) have been extensively explored, the influence of psychological factors has been less well examined. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between ‘anxiety and AMS risk during a progressive ascent to very HA. Methods Eighty health adults were assessed at baseline (848m) and over 9 consecutive altitudes during a progressive trek to 5140m. HA-related symptoms (Lake Louise [LLS] and AMS-C Scores) and state anxiety (State-Trait-Anxiety-Score [STAI Y-1]) were examined at each altitude with trait anxiety (STAI Y-2) at baseline. Results The average age was 32.1 ± 8.3 years (67.5% men). STAI Y-1 scores fell from 848m to 3619m, before increasing to above baseline scores (848m) at ≥4072m (p = 0.01). STAI Y-1 scores correlated with LLS (r = 0.31; 0.24–0.3; P<0.0001) and AMS-C Scores (r = 0.29; 0.22–0.35; P<0.0001). There was significant main effect for sex (higher STAI Y-1 scores in women) and altitude with no sex-x-altitude interaction on STAI Y-1 Scores. Independent predictors of significant state anxiety included female sex, lower age, higher heart rate and increasing LLS and AMS-C scores (p<0.0001). A total of 38/80 subjects (47.5%) developed AMS which was mild in 20 (25%) and severe in 18 (22.5%). Baseline STAI Y-2 scores were an independent predictor of future severe AMS (B = 1.13; 1.009–1.28; p = 0.04; r2 = 0.23) and STAI Y-1 scores at HA independently predicted AMS and its severity. Conclusion Trait anxiety at low altitude was an independent predictor of future severe AMS development at HA. State anxiety at HA was independently associated with AMS and its severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Boos
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
- Department of Postgraduate Medical Education, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Malcolm Bass
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - John P. O’Hara
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Vincent
- Defence Medical Services, Lichfield, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Mellor
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- Defence Medical Services, Lichfield, United Kingdom
- James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Sevier
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Humayra Abdul-Razakq
- Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Cooke
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Barlow
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - David R. Woods
- Research Institute, for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- Northumbria and Newcastle NHS Trusts, Wansbeck General and Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, United Kingdom
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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