Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, Innsbruck, Austria.
High Alt Med Biol. 2010 Winter;11(4):343-8. doi: 10.1089/ham.2010.1039.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common condition of high altitude illnesses. Its prevalence varies between 15% and 80% depending on the speed of ascent, absolute altitude reached, and individual susceptibility. Additionally, we assumed that the more experienced mountaineers of the Western Alps are less susceptible to developing AMS than recreational mountaineers of the Eastern Alps or tourist populations. Therefore, the main goals of the present study were the collection of data regarding the AMS prevalence and triggers in both the Eastern and Western Alps using identical methods. A total of 162 mountaineers, 79 in the Eastern Alps (3454 m) and 83 in the Western Alps (3817 m) were studied on the morning after their first night at high altitude. A diagnosis of AMS was based on a Lake Louise Score (LLS) ≥4, the presence of headache, and at least one additional symptom. Thirty of 79 subjects (38.0%) suffered from AMS at 3454 m in the Eastern Alps as did 29 of 83 (34.9%) at 3817 m in the Western Alps. After adjustment for altitude, the prevalence in the Western Alps constituted 24.5%, which differed significantly (p = 0.04) from that found in the Eastern Alps. The lower mountaineering experience of mountaineers in the Eastern Alps turned out to be the only factor for explaining their higher AMS prevalence. Thus, expert advice by mountain guides or experienced colleagues could help to reduce the AMS risk in these subjects.
高山病（AMS）是最常见的高原病。其发病率在 15%至 80%之间变化，具体取决于上升速度、达到的绝对海拔高度和个体易感性。此外，我们假设西部阿尔卑斯山的经验丰富的登山者比东部阿尔卑斯山的娱乐登山者或游客人群更不容易患上 AMS。因此，本研究的主要目标是使用相同的方法收集东部和西部阿尔卑斯山 AMS 发病率和诱因的数据。共有 162 名登山者，79 人在东部阿尔卑斯山（3454 米），83 人在西部阿尔卑斯山（3817 米），在他们到达高海拔地区的第一晚后的第二天早上进行研究。AMS 的诊断基于 Lake Louise 评分（LLS）≥4、头痛以及至少有一个其他症状。79 名受试者中有 30 名（38.0%）在东部阿尔卑斯山海拔 3454 米处患有 AMS，83 名受试者中有 29 名（34.9%）在西部阿尔卑斯山海拔 3817 米处患有 AMS。调整海拔后，西部阿尔卑斯山的患病率为 24.5%，与东部阿尔卑斯山的患病率有显著差异（p=0.04）。东部阿尔卑斯山的登山者较低的登山经验被证明是解释其 AMS 发病率较高的唯一因素。因此，山地导游或经验丰富的同事的专业建议可能有助于降低这些登山者的 AMS 风险。
