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Wang B, Chen S, Song J, Huang D, Xiao G. Recent advances in predicting acute mountain sickness: from multidimensional cohort studies to cutting-edge model applications. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1397280. [PMID: 38978820 PMCID: PMC11228308 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1397280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
High-altitude illnesses, encompassing a spectrum of health threats including Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), pose significant challenges to individuals exposed to high altitude environments, necessitating effective prophylaxis and immediate management. Given the variability in individual responses to these conditions, accurate prediction of high-altitude illnesses onset is of paramount importance. This review systematically consolidates recent advancements in research on predicting AMS by evaluating existing cohort data, predictive models, and methodologies, while also delving into the application of emerging technologies. Through a thorough analysis of scholarly literature, we discuss traditional prediction methods anchored in physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate, respiratory frequency, blood pressure) and biochemical markers, as well as the integration and utility of novel technologies such as biosensors, genetic testing, and artificial intelligence within high-altitude prediction research. While conventional pre-diction techniques have been extensively used, they are often constrained by limitations in accuracy, reliability, and multifactorial influences. The advent of these innovative technologies holds promise for more precise individual risk assessments and personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies across various forms of AMS. Future research endeavors must pivot decisively towards the meticulous identification and stringent validation of innovative predictive biomarkers and models. This strategic re-direction should catalyze intensified interdisciplinary cooperation to significantly deepen our mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of AMS while refining existing prediction methodologies. These groundbreaking advancements harbor the potential to fundamentally transform preventive and therapeutic frameworks for high-altitude illnesses, ultimately securing augmented safety standards and wellbeing for individuals operating at elevated altitudes with far-reaching global implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Wang
- Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Highland Conditioning Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shanji Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, China
- Hunan Primary Digital Engineering Technology Research Center for Medical Prevention and Treatment, Huaihua, China
- National Institute of Hospital Administration (NIHA), Beijing, China
| | | | - Dan Huang
- Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Highland Conditioning Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Gexin Xiao
- National Institute of Hospital Administration (NIHA), Beijing, China
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Gatterer H, Villafuerte FC, Ulrich S, Bhandari SS, Keyes LE, Burtscher M. Altitude illnesses. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024; 10:43. [PMID: 38902312 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-024-00526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Millions of people visit high-altitude regions annually and more than 80 million live permanently above 2,500 m. Acute high-altitude exposure can trigger high-altitude illnesses (HAIs), including acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) can affect high-altitude resident populations worldwide. The prevalence of acute HAIs varies according to acclimatization status, rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. AMS, characterized by headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue, is usually benign and self-limiting, and has been linked to hypoxia-induced cerebral blood volume increases, inflammation and related trigeminovascular system activation. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier leads to HACE, characterized by altered mental status and ataxia, and increased pulmonary capillary pressure, and related stress failure induces HAPE, characterized by dyspnoea, cough and exercise intolerance. Both conditions are progressive and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical intervention. Treatment includes supplemental oxygen and descent with appropriate pharmacological therapy. Preventive measures include slow ascent, pre-acclimatization and, in some instances, medications. CMS is characterized by excessive erythrocytosis and related clinical symptoms. In severe CMS, temporary or permanent relocation to low altitude is recommended. Future research should focus on more objective diagnostic tools to enable prompt treatment, improved identification of individual susceptibilities and effective acclimatization and prevention options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.
- Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism (ISAG), UMIT TIROL-Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.
| | - Francisco C Villafuerte
- Laboratorio de Fisiología del Transporte de Oxígeno y Adaptación a la Altura - LID, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Silvia Ulrich
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sanjeeb S Bhandari
- Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Emergency Department, UPMC Western Maryland Health, Cumberland, MD, USA
| | - Linda E Keyes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Guo Y, Liu X, Zhang Q, Shi Z, Zhang M, Chen J. Can acute high-altitude sickness be predicted in advance? REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2024; 39:27-36. [PMID: 36165715 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In high-altitude environments, the oxygen and air density are decreased, and the temperature and humidity are low. When individuals enter high-altitude areas, they are prone to suffering from acute mountain sickness (AMS) because they cannot tolerate hypoxia. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, and gastrointestinal reactions are the main symptoms of AMS. When these symptoms cannot be effectively alleviated, they can progress to life-threatening high-altitude pulmonary edema or high-altitude cerebral edema. If the risk of AMS can be effectively assessed before people enter high-altitude areas, then the high-risk population can be promptly discouraged from entering the area, or drug intervention can be established in advance to prevent AMS occurrence and avoid serious outcomes. This article reviews recent studies related to the early-warning biological indicators of AMS to provide a new perspective on the prevention of AMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Zhongshan Shi
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ge er mu People's Hospital, Ge er mu, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Menglan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Pathology, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
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Tang X, Li X, Xin Q, Wang Q, Li S, Yang Y. Anxiety as a Risk Factor for Acute Mountain Sickness Among Young Chinese Men After Exposure at 3800 M: A cross‒sectional Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:2573-2583. [PMID: 38046832 PMCID: PMC10693273 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s436438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to explore whether anxiety is a risk factor for acute mountain sickness [AMS] in a young Chinese male population. Patients and Methods A total of 143 young Chinese men with a median age of 23 years (IQR, 21-25) were employed in the present study, and they were divided into the AMS+ and AMS- groups according to the Lake Louise AMS score [AMS-S] after exposure at 3800 m for two days. Participants' pulse oximeter saturation [SpO2] and heart rate [HR] were measured. AMS was evaluated using the AMS-S. The anxiety and sleep quality of the subjects were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS] and the Athens Insomnia Scale [AIS], respectively. Outcomes were analysed using Spearman's partial correlation and logistic regression analysis. Results After two days of exposure at 3800 m, the overall prevalence of AMS was 54% in the whole group. The HR was significantly higher in the AMS+ group than in the AMS- group, as well as the SAS score and AIS score. A converse pattern was observed for SpO2. A significant difference was observed for the change in SAS and AIS score between the AMS+ and AMS- groups. Correlation analysis showed that AMS-S was positively correlated with SAS score, AIS score, HR, ΔSAS score, ΔAIS score, and ΔHR but negatively correlated with SpO2. AIS score was positively correlated with SAS score. After logistic regression analysis was adjusted for HR, SpO2, ΔAIS and ΔHR, SAS score (OR=1.446, 95% CI 1.200-1.744, p<0.001), AIS score (OR=1.216, 95% CI 1.033-1.432) and ΔSAS score (OR=1.158, 95% CI 1.012-1.327) were identified as independent risk factors for AMS. Conclusion The present study suggests that anxiety is a risk factor for AMS among young Chinese men, and poor sleep quality may partially mediate the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xugang Tang
- Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Cardiology, The No. 37 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Ya’an, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuchuan Li
- Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Xin
- Department of Cardiology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
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Liu B, Xu G, Sun B, Wu G, Chen J, Gao Y. Clinical and biochemical indices of people with high-altitude experience linked to acute mountain sickness. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 51:102506. [PMID: 36410656 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a major health issue for people travelling to high altitudes. This study was designed to comprehensively evaluate the changes in clinical characteristics and biochemical indices of high-altitude travelers and determine whether these changes were associated with AMS. METHODS A total of 14 clinical indices and 52 biochemical indices were determined in 22 subjects before and during acute high-altitude exposure. Six hours after passive ascent to 3648 m (Lhasa, China), the Lake Louise Scoring (LLS) system 2018 was used to assess AMS, which was defined as headache with a total LLS ≥3. RESULTS Before travelling to high altitudes, uric acid (UA), platelet distribution width (PDW), mitral peak E velocity (MVE), and ejection fraction (EF) were significantly higher in AMS-resistant individuals than in AMS-susceptible ones (all p < 0.05). A good predictive value of UA (0.817, 95% CI: 0.607-1.000) and PDW (0.844, 95% CI: 0.646-1.000) for AMS-susceptible subjects was found. With high-altitude experience, 14 subjects were diagnosed as having AMS. Compared with non-AMS, the changes in UA and number of neutrophils in AMS presented a significant difference (all p < 0.05). The high-altitude-induced changes in UA, area under the curve, specificity, and sensitivity for identifying AMS were 0.883 (95% CI: 0.738-1.000), 83.30%, and 90.00%, respectively. CONCLUSION Human presents a compensatory physiological and biochemical response to high-altitude travel at early phase. The UA concentration before travel and its trend with high-altitude experience exhibited good performance for identifying AMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Liu
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Gang Xu
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Bingda Sun
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Gang Wu
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Jian Chen
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Yuqi Gao
- Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, 400038, China; Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine, PLA, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Hou J, Wen X, Long P, Xiong S, Liu H, Cai L, Deng H, Zhang Z. The role of post-translational modifications in driving abnormal cardiovascular complications at high altitude. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:886300. [PMID: 36186970 PMCID: PMC9515308 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.886300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The high-altitude environment is characterized by hypobaric hypoxia, low temperatures, low humidity, and high radiation, which is a natural challenge for lowland residents entering. Previous studies have confirmed the acute and chronic effects of high altitude on the cardiovascular systems of lowlanders. Abnormal cardiovascular complications, including pulmonary edema, cardiac hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial hypertension were commonly explored. Effective evaluation of cardiovascular adaptive response in high altitude can provide a basis for early warning, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of altitude diseases. At present, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are a key step to regulate their biological functions and dynamic interactions with other molecules. This process is regulated by countless enzymes called “writer, reader, and eraser,” and the performance is precisely controlled. Mutations and abnormal expression of these enzymes or their substrates have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases associated with high altitude. Although PTMs play an important regulatory role in key processes such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, proliferation, and hypoxia response, little attention has been paid to abnormal cardiovascular response at high altitude. Here, we reviewed the roles of PTMs in driving abnormal cardiovascular complications at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chengdu First People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Pan Long
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiqiang Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanxiong Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Lin Cai,
| | - Haoyu Deng
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Center for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Haoyu Deng,
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- Zhen Zhang,
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