Smartwatch measurement of blood oxygen saturation for predicting acute mountain sickness: Diagnostic accuracy and reliability.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aims to assess the accuracy and stability of smartwatches in predicting acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods: In locations exceeding an altitude of 2500 m, a cohort of 42 subjects had their Lake Louise AMS self-assessment score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, and perfusion index measured using smartwatches, with the data seamlessly conveyed to the Huawei Cloud. Results: A significant decrease in SpO2 was observed in individuals positive for AMS compared to those negative (p < 0.05), with the mild AMS group exhibiting significantly lower SpO2 levels than the non-AMS group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SpO2 emerged as a significant, independent predictor of AMS [ß=-0.086, p < 0.01, OR (95% CI) = 0.92 (0.87-0.97)], indicating that each unit increase in SpO2 decreases the probability of AMS occurrence by 8.6%. Conclusion: The Huawei smartwatches have demonstrated efficacy in diagnosing and foretelling AMS at elevations exceeding 4000 m, showcasing significant reliability and high precision in SpO2 measurement.