The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

<h4>Objective</h4>The impact of acetazolamide (ACZ) in chronic mountain sickness (CMS) has not been fully assessed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acetazolamide in the treatment of chronic mountain sickness.<h4>Research methods&...

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Main Authors: Yaqin Wang, Zhengcai Han, Zhouzhou Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319689
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author Yaqin Wang
Zhengcai Han
Zhouzhou Feng
author_facet Yaqin Wang
Zhengcai Han
Zhouzhou Feng
author_sort Yaqin Wang
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Objective</h4>The impact of acetazolamide (ACZ) in chronic mountain sickness (CMS) has not been fully assessed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acetazolamide in the treatment of chronic mountain sickness.<h4>Research methods</h4>This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome measure was CMS clinical score. Secondary outcomes included CMS total score,hematocrit (HCT), Pondus Hydrogenii‌ (pH), arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), bicarbonate concentration (HCO3), and adverse events.<h4>Results</h4>Five randomized controlled trials were included, comprising a total of 137 subjects, with 78 in the acetazolamide group and 59 in the control group.The CMS clinical score showed an MD of -0.31 (95% CI, -1.13 to -0.51, P = 0.46),the results indicated no statistical significance.But the CMS total score had an MD of -1.13 [95% CI, -2.03 to -0.23], P = 0.01, showing a significant difference.The HCT results showed an MD of -2.70 (95% CI, -4.58 to -0.82; P = 0.005), indicating a statistically significant reduction. The result of PaO2,PaCO2,pH and HCO3 are statistically significant. In terms of adverse events, increased diuresis and headache were not statistically significant. Paresthesia had a significant difference.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Based on the available evidence, we conclude that ACZ 250 mg is a safe, reliable, and low-cost treatment option for chronic mountain sickness. By reducing HCT, PaCO2, pH, and HCO3, and increasing PaO2, it improves respiratory and circulatory parameters in CMS patients and effectively treats CMS.
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spelling doaj-art-e4c1a73e7cc5460ca936d81f2a839f832025-08-20T03:05:44ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01203e031968910.1371/journal.pone.0319689The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Yaqin WangZhengcai HanZhouzhou Feng<h4>Objective</h4>The impact of acetazolamide (ACZ) in chronic mountain sickness (CMS) has not been fully assessed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acetazolamide in the treatment of chronic mountain sickness.<h4>Research methods</h4>This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome measure was CMS clinical score. Secondary outcomes included CMS total score,hematocrit (HCT), Pondus Hydrogenii‌ (pH), arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), bicarbonate concentration (HCO3), and adverse events.<h4>Results</h4>Five randomized controlled trials were included, comprising a total of 137 subjects, with 78 in the acetazolamide group and 59 in the control group.The CMS clinical score showed an MD of -0.31 (95% CI, -1.13 to -0.51, P = 0.46),the results indicated no statistical significance.But the CMS total score had an MD of -1.13 [95% CI, -2.03 to -0.23], P = 0.01, showing a significant difference.The HCT results showed an MD of -2.70 (95% CI, -4.58 to -0.82; P = 0.005), indicating a statistically significant reduction. The result of PaO2,PaCO2,pH and HCO3 are statistically significant. In terms of adverse events, increased diuresis and headache were not statistically significant. Paresthesia had a significant difference.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Based on the available evidence, we conclude that ACZ 250 mg is a safe, reliable, and low-cost treatment option for chronic mountain sickness. By reducing HCT, PaCO2, pH, and HCO3, and increasing PaO2, it improves respiratory and circulatory parameters in CMS patients and effectively treats CMS.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319689
spellingShingle Yaqin Wang
Zhengcai Han
Zhouzhou Feng
The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PLoS ONE
title The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
title_full The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
title_fullStr The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
title_full_unstemmed The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
title_short The efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
title_sort efficacy and safety of acetazolamide in chronic mountain sickness a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319689
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