PURPOSE: The American Diabetes Association states that physical activity can be performed by individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Nevertheless, extreme altitude mountaineering represents a demanding challenge. We present the metabolic and cardiovascular parameters found in individuals with Type 1 diabetes during the ascent to Cho Oyu located at a height of 8201 m. METHODS: Six individuals with Type 1 diabetes and 10 matched controls participated in the expedition. Both groups were evaluated before and after 4 h of trekking for vital indices, blood gases, acute mountain sickness, and metabolic control at 0, 3700, and 5800 m. RESULTS: No difference between the groups was observed in acute mountain sickness scores. There was a progressive elevation in basal heart rates in both groups at increasing altitude while no changes were observed in mean blood pressures. After the 3 h of trekking, a significant increase in heart rate was observed in the controls at 0 m whereas a significant decrease in blood pressure was observed at higher altitude only in controls. HbA1c levels were worse after the expedition in both groups. A progressive increase in insulin requirement was observed in subjects with Type 1 diabetes (38 +/- 6 U x d(-1) at 0 m to 51 +/- 6 at 4200 m, P < 0.001). At an altitude of 5800 m, there was a significant increase in blood lactate concentration, independently of the activity level in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: At extreme altitude, highly motivated trekkers with Type 1 diabetes but free from long-term complications present metabolic and cardiovascular parameters comparable with those of control subjects despite a worsening in metabolic control. This type of physical activity must be accompanied by careful glucose monitoring.
PURPOSE: The American Diabetes Association states that physical activity can be performed by individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Nevertheless, extreme altitude mountaineering represents a demanding challenge. We present the metabolic and cardiovascular parameters found in individuals with Type 1 diabetes during the ascent to Cho Oyu located at a height of 8201 m. METHODS: Six individuals with Type 1 diabetes and 10 matched controls participated in the expedition. Both groups were evaluated before and after 4 h of trekking for vital indices, blood gases, acute mountain sickness, and metabolic control at 0, 3700, and 5800 m. RESULTS: No difference between the groups was observed in acute mountain sickness scores. There was a progressive elevation in basal heart rates in both groups at increasing altitude while no changes were observed in mean blood pressures. After the 3 h of trekking, a significant increase in heart rate was observed in the controls at 0 m whereas a significant decrease in blood pressure was observed at higher altitude only in controls. HbA1c levels were worse after the expedition in both groups. A progressive increase in insulin requirement was observed in subjects with Type 1 diabetes (38 +/- 6 U x d(-1) at 0 m to 51 +/- 6 at 4200 m, P < 0.001). At an altitude of 5800 m, there was a significant increase in blood lactate concentration, independently of the activity level in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: At extreme altitude, highly motivated trekkers with Type 1 diabetes but free from long-term complications present metabolic and cardiovascular parameters comparable with those of control subjects despite a worsening in metabolic control. This type of physical activity must be accompanied by careful glucose monitoring.
Authors: Gamal Allam; Adnan A Alsulaimani; Hamed Alghamdi; Hameed Alswat; Burhan M Edrees; Iftikhar Ahmad; Amre Nasr Journal: High Alt Med Biol Date: 2014-08-28 Impact factor: 1.981
Authors: Pieter de Mol; Suzanna T de Vries; Eelco J P de Koning; Rijk O B Gans; Cees J Tack; Henk J G Bilo Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2011-01-27 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: Bartłomiej Matejko; Andrzej Gawrecki; Marta Wróbel; Jerzy Hohendorff; Teresa Benbenek-Klupa; Dorota Zozulińska-Ziółkiewicz; Maciej T Malecki; Tomasz Klupa Journal: J Diabetes Res Date: 2020-09-15 Impact factor: 4.011