Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole

Objectives The Antarctic Study of Altitude Physiology (ASAP) investigated variables associated with the development of AMS in adults experiencing rapid passive transport to altitude by airplane.Design Our prospective observational trial collected data, including personal history, anthropometrics, vi...

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Main Authors: Paul J Anderson, Bruce D Johnson, Michael F Harrison, Andrew D Miller, Kathy A O'Malley, Maile L Richert, Jacob B Johnson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2013-07-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/7/e003064.full
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author Paul J Anderson
Bruce D Johnson
Michael F Harrison
Andrew D Miller
Kathy A O'Malley
Maile L Richert
Jacob B Johnson
author_facet Paul J Anderson
Bruce D Johnson
Michael F Harrison
Andrew D Miller
Kathy A O'Malley
Maile L Richert
Jacob B Johnson
author_sort Paul J Anderson
collection DOAJ
description Objectives The Antarctic Study of Altitude Physiology (ASAP) investigated variables associated with the development of AMS in adults experiencing rapid passive transport to altitude by airplane.Design Our prospective observational trial collected data, including personal history, anthropometrics, vital signs, blood samples and pulmonary function, at sea level and at altitude. Statistical analysis utilised independent sample t tests to investigate between-group differences (p<0.05) and a forward, step-wise binary logisitic regression analysis was performed.Participants Of 248 eligible ASAP participants, those who did not use acetazolamide (N=98) were included in the present analysis.Primary outcome measures The diagnosis of AMS using the Lake Louise Symptom Score.Results Analysis of participants not using acetazolamide (n=90) found 30 participants developed AMS and 60 participants did not. Estimated plasma volume decreased significantly at altitude (p=0.025) in the AMS group as compared with the No AMS group while body weight did not change (p=0.125). Serum sodium (p=0.045) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.049) levels were higher in the No AMS group. A logistic regression analysis emphasised the contributions of LDL and eosinophil levels in the development of AMS.Conclusions These results suggest that the body water regulation and inflammation are key factors in AMS development when all other factors such as the level of physical exertion during ascent, the rate and magnitude of ascent and the use of acetazolamide are controlled.
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spelling doaj-art-110d2fc2fd0c4928a676b2890608d6462025-02-11T22:25:08ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552013-07-013710.1136/bmjopen-2013-003064Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South PolePaul J Anderson0Bruce D Johnson1Michael F Harrison2Andrew D Miller3Kathy A O'Malley4Maile L Richert5Jacob B Johnson61Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USADivision of Preventive Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USADepartment of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USAObjectives The Antarctic Study of Altitude Physiology (ASAP) investigated variables associated with the development of AMS in adults experiencing rapid passive transport to altitude by airplane.Design Our prospective observational trial collected data, including personal history, anthropometrics, vital signs, blood samples and pulmonary function, at sea level and at altitude. Statistical analysis utilised independent sample t tests to investigate between-group differences (p<0.05) and a forward, step-wise binary logisitic regression analysis was performed.Participants Of 248 eligible ASAP participants, those who did not use acetazolamide (N=98) were included in the present analysis.Primary outcome measures The diagnosis of AMS using the Lake Louise Symptom Score.Results Analysis of participants not using acetazolamide (n=90) found 30 participants developed AMS and 60 participants did not. Estimated plasma volume decreased significantly at altitude (p=0.025) in the AMS group as compared with the No AMS group while body weight did not change (p=0.125). Serum sodium (p=0.045) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.049) levels were higher in the No AMS group. A logistic regression analysis emphasised the contributions of LDL and eosinophil levels in the development of AMS.Conclusions These results suggest that the body water regulation and inflammation are key factors in AMS development when all other factors such as the level of physical exertion during ascent, the rate and magnitude of ascent and the use of acetazolamide are controlled.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/7/e003064.full
spellingShingle Paul J Anderson
Bruce D Johnson
Michael F Harrison
Andrew D Miller
Kathy A O'Malley
Maile L Richert
Jacob B Johnson
Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
BMJ Open
title Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
title_full Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
title_fullStr Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
title_full_unstemmed Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
title_short Physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the South Pole
title_sort physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness at the south pole
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/7/e003064.full
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