Incidence of medical problems at high terrestrial altitudes: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Data covering the 3 year period, 1 986-88 from the forward area hospitals [60 CCS and 50 CCS] receiving patients from units operating in high altitude areas reveal an average admission per year of 202 cases due to high altitude medical problems. Frost bite was the commonest [49.8%] high altitude medical problem followed by acute mountain sickness [AMS] [30.7%], high altitude pulmonary edema [HAPE] [13.9%], high altitude cerebral oedema [HACE] [3.1%] snow blindness [1.7%] and hypothermia [0.8%] respectively. More than 90% patients were in 20-39 years age group. Maximum number [84.4%] of high altitude cases occurred between 12000 to 20000 feet height. More [59.2%] high altitude cases occurred among lowlanders as compared to high landers [40.8%]. The disease was mild in 32% cases and severe in 63.3% cases