Prevalence and risk factors of chronic mountain sickness in Pamirs plateau / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prevalence of chronic mountain sickness (CMS) and its predisposing factors in Pamirs plateau and analysis clinical feature and risk factors.@*METHODS@#Eight hundred and twenty-four individuals in Pamirs plateau were surveyed used Qinghai CMS scoring system. Demographics, BP, SaO, heart rate and specified symptoms of CMS were recorded, Hb level was estimated.@*RESULTS@#Overall CMS prevalence was 22.08%, including 21.84% mild and 0.24% moderate without severe patient. Gender, nation, age, immigration time, altitude, occupation and accommodation mode were risk factors for CMS (<0.05 or <0.01), CMS prevalence was higher than HAPC rate both in male and female (χ=90.59 and 44.13, <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed age, BMI, SaO and systolic pressure correlated with CMS (<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Chronic mountain sickness prevalence in Pamirs plateau is rather high but high altitude polycythemia prevalence is low, so the disease type is high altitude deterioration. Work and exercise more reasonable to avoid overtiredness, oxygen inhalation to raise blood oxygen saturation, control blood pressure and resting therapy can improve CMS symptom and decrease prevalence.

Role of oxygen therapy in prevention of chronic mountain sickness / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of prophylaxis on youth's chronic mountain sickness(CMS) who moved to an altitude of above 5 000 meters by long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six male youth stationed at 5 070 m, 5 200 m and 5 380 m took oxygen continuously by nasal cannula (LTOT group) every body per day. One year later, epidemiological survey were carried out according to the international CMS diagnostic criteria consist of examining right ventricle end-diastolic dimension (RVED), right ventricular anterior wall (RVAW), right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), main pulmonary artery (MPA), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVSD) by ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and blood test of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) blood oxygen saturation (SaQ2). Then, they were compared with 91 males in the same group stationed at the same altitude (without any interventions, control group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The epidemiological survey showed that, SaO2 were increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the prevalence rate of CMS were decreased compared with that of control group (P < 0.05). (2) Echocardiography showed that SOD, NO, NOS were increased (P < 0.05 or 0.01) and LVSD, MPA had no significant difference compared with that of control group (P > 0.05). (3) Biochemical index showed that, SOD, NO, NOS were increased (P < 0.05 or 0.01), MDA, ALT, AST, LDH were decreased (P < 0.05 or 0.01) and gamma-GT, CK had no significant difference compared with that of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>At high altitude, LTOT can reduce lipid peroxidation, improve the important organ injuries caused by hypoxia and protect the mitochondria respiratory function and play an important role on the prevention of chronic mountain sickness.</p>