Hsiang Yun Lo1,2, Lisa Li-Chuan Chen3, Deng-Huang Su4, Chung-Hsien Chen5, Tai-Yi Hsu6, Shih-Hao Wang7,8, Yi-Ming Weng2,9, Cheng-Wei Chan2,10, Shih-Hao Wu2, Hang-Cheng Chen6, Te-Fa Chiu6. 1. New Taipei City Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine New Taipei City Taiwan. 2. Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine Taoyuan Taiwan. 3. Landseed Hospital Research Center, Department of Community Medicine Taoyuan Taiwan. 4. National Taiwan University Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health Taipei Taiwan. 5. Chang Gung University College of Medicine Taoyuan Taiwan. 6. China Medical University Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine Taichung Taiwan. 7. Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Department of Emergency Medicine Chiayi Taiwan. 8. Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Chiayi Taiwan. 9. Ministry of Health and Welfare Department of Emergency Medicine, Taoyuan General Hospital Taoyuan Taiwan. 10. Ministry of Health and Welfare Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang-Hua Hospital Changhua Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) often occurs in individuals who rapidly travel above 2,500 m. As the convenience of traveling and the development of mountain sports increase, AMS will become an increasingly important public health problem. However, no method to effectively predict AMS before it occurs is currently available. METHODS: This post hoc study investigated whether the 3-Minute Step Test (3MST), which evaluates physical fitness, is predictive of AMS development. The data collected in "Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of AMS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial" was used in the analysis. This study collected 204 observations of 102 participants who made two ascents of Hehuan Mountain (3,100 m) by bus within a 3-month period. Participants completed the 3MST at 250 m (before ascent) and 3,100 m (on Hehuan Mountain). The presence of AMS was accessed using the Lake Louise scoring system. RESULTS: AMS was identified in 124 observations (60.78%). In the univariate analysis, the pre-departure 3MST score (at 250 m) was not significantly associated with AMS (p = 0.498), but the 3MST score measured at 3,100 m, ascent number, pulse rate at 3,100 m, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) measured at 3,100 m were significantly correlated with the occurrence of AMS (p = 0.002, 0.039, 0.005, < 0.001, respectively). In a further multivariate analysis, only SpO2 measured at 3,100 m had a significant association with AMS (p = 0.016 and 0.006, respectively). The trend analysis showed that for every 1-point increase in the 3MST score at 3,100 m, the AMS decreased by 4% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92-1.01). CONCLUSION: The 3MST score cannot be a predictor of AMS, but it may have a potential role in predicting ascent safety in high-altitude areas.
BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) often occurs in individuals who rapidly travel above 2,500 m. As the convenience of traveling and the development of mountain sports increase, AMS will become an increasingly important public health problem. However, no method to effectively predict AMS before it occurs is currently available. METHODS: This post hoc study investigated whether the 3-Minute Step Test (3MST), which evaluates physical fitness, is predictive of AMS development. The data collected in "Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of AMS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial" was used in the analysis. This study collected 204 observations of 102 participants who made two ascents of Hehuan Mountain (3,100 m) by bus within a 3-month period. Participants completed the 3MST at 250 m (before ascent) and 3,100 m (on Hehuan Mountain). The presence of AMS was accessed using the Lake Louise scoring system. RESULTS: AMS was identified in 124 observations (60.78%). In the univariate analysis, the pre-departure 3MST score (at 250 m) was not significantly associated with AMS (p = 0.498), but the 3MST score measured at 3,100 m, ascent number, pulse rate at 3,100 m, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) measured at 3,100 m were significantly correlated with the occurrence of AMS (p = 0.002, 0.039, 0.005, < 0.001, respectively). In a further multivariate analysis, only SpO2 measured at 3,100 m had a significant association with AMS (p = 0.016 and 0.006, respectively). The trend analysis showed that for every 1-point increase in the 3MST score at 3,100 m, the AMS decreased by 4% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92-1.01). CONCLUSION: The 3MST score cannot be a predictor of AMS, but it may have a potential role in predicting ascent safety in high-altitude areas.
Authors: Wei-Fong Kao; Chien-Chun Kuo; Teh-Fu Hsu; Hsing Chang; Ying-Ying Sung; David H T Yen; Jer-Kan Wu; Chen-Hsen Lee Journal: Aviat Space Environ Med Date: 2002-04
Authors: Carlos Pesce; Conxita Leal; Hernán Pinto; Gabriela González; Marco Maggiorini; Michael Schneider; Peter Bärtsch Journal: High Alt Med Biol Date: 2005 Impact factor: 1.981
Authors: B Honigman; M K Theis; J Koziol-McLain; R Roach; R Yip; C Houston; L G Moore; P Pearce Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 1993-04-15 Impact factor: 25.391