New inventory for the assessment of symptom occurrence and severity at high altitude.

A new inventory, called the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ), was devised to provide improved assessment of symptoms occurring during exposure to high altitude. The ESQ was field tested with 12 subjects exposed to 4300 m altitude for 4 d, and was compared with responses to the General High Altitude Questionnaire (GHAQ). Both instruments reflected significant symptom occurrence, but the ESQ was more sensitive on certain items focal to altitude conditions, and showed significant responses to items not contained in the GHAQ. Based on this test, the ESQ was judged easier to use, more sensitive, and more comprehensive for assessing medical symptoms at altitude.