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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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Bauer M, Müller J, Schneider SR, Buenzli S, Furian M, Ulrich T, Carta AF, Bader PR, Lichtblau M, Taalaibekova A, Raimberdiev M, Champigneulle B, Sooronbaev T, Bloch KE, Ulrich S. Hypoxia-altitude simulation test to predict altitude-related adverse health effects in COPD patients. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00488-2022. [PMID: 36923563 PMCID: PMC10009702 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00488-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aims Amongst numerous travellers to high altitude (HA) are many with the highly prevalent COPD, who are at particular risk for altitude-related adverse health effects (ARAHE). We then investigated the hypoxia-altitude simulation test (HAST) to predict ARAHE in COPD patients travelling to altitude. Methods This prospective diagnostic accuracy study included 75 COPD patients: 40 women, age 58±9 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 40-80% pred, oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (S pO2 ) ≥92% and arterial carbon dioxide tension (P aCO2 ) <6 kPa. Patients underwent baseline evaluation and HAST, breathing normobaric hypoxic air (inspiratory oxygen fraction (F IO2 ) of 15%) for 15 min, at low altitude (760 m). Cut-off values for a positive HAST were set according to British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines (arterial oxygen tension (P aO2 ) <6.6 kPa and/or S pO2 <85%). The following day, patients travelled to HA (3100 m) for two overnight stays where ARAHE development including acute mountain sickness (AMS), Lake Louise Score ≥4 and/or AMS score ≥0.7, severe hypoxaemia (S pO2 <80% for >30 min or 75% for >15 min) or intercurrent illness was observed. Results ARAHE occurred in 50 (66%) patients and 23 out of 75 (31%) were positive on HAST according to S pO2 , and 11 out of 64 (17%) according to P aO2 . For S pO2 /P aO2 we report a sensitivity of 46/25%, specificity of 84/95%, positive predictive value of 85/92% and negative predictive value of 44/37%. Conclusion In COPD patients ascending to HA, ARAHE are common. Despite an acceptable positive predictive value of the HAST to predict ARAHE, its clinical use is limited by its insufficient sensitivity and overall accuracy. Counselling COPD patients before altitude travel remains challenging and best focuses on early recognition and treatment of ARAHE with oxygen and descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meret Bauer
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Julian Müller
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Simon R. Schneider
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Simone Buenzli
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Michael Furian
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Tanja Ulrich
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Arcangelo F. Carta
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Patrick R. Bader
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Mona Lichtblau
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Ajian Taalaibekova
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- National Center for Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Madiiar Raimberdiev
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- National Center for Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Benoit Champigneulle
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- HP2 Laboratory, Inserm U1300, Grenoble Alpes University, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Talant Sooronbaev
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- National Center for Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Konrad E. Bloch
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Silvia Ulrich
- University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Clinic of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss-Kyrgyz High Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative, Zurich, Switzerland, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
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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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