Journal of Shandong University (Health Sciences) ›› 2026, Vol. 64 ›› Issue (8): 64-70.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1671-7554.0.2026.0665

• Clinical Medicine • Previous Articles    

Factors associated with acute mountain sickness and characteristics of physiological parameters

DING Wenjing1, YANG Yifan1, HU Xinyu1, AILI Ailifeila1, ZHANG Haopeng1, XUE Xinying2, PAN Lei1   

  1. 1. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China;
    2. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
  • Published:2026-08-14

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Abstract: Objective To investigate the factors associated with acute mountain sickness(AMS)and characterize changes in physiological parameters before and after high-altitude exposure in individuals undergoing rapid ascent. Methods A total of 101 male participants recruited in Xizang in 2024 with complete data before and after high-altitude exposure were included. According to the Lake Louise score after altitude exposure, participants were assigned to the non-AMS(nAMS)group,(n=59)or AMS group(n=42). Demographic characteristics, potential risk factors, peripheral oxygen saturation(SpO2), heart rate, blood pressure, mean arterial pressure(MAP), and rate pressure product(RPP)were collected and compared between groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with AMS. Results After high-altitude exposure, SpO2 decreased significantly, whereas heart rate, systolic blood pressure, MAP, and RPP increased significantly in the whole cohort(P<0.05). Before high-altitude exposure, resting physiological parameters did not differ significantly between the AMS and nAMS groups(P>0.05), whereas the proportions of participants with first-time high-altitude exposure, smoking history, and drinking history were higher in the AMS group(P<0.05). After high-altitude exposure, the AMS group had lower SpO2 and higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and RPP than the nAMS group(P<0.05). The decrease in SpO2 was greater in the AMS group(P=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that first-time high-altitude exposure was independently associated with AMS(OR=5.42, 95%CI: 1.80-16.29, P=0.003). Conclusion Rapid ascent to high altitude is accompanied by marked oxygen desaturation and enhanced cardiovascular compensation. Routine resting physiological parameters before high-altitude exposure can not distinguish AMS from nAMS, whereas first-time high-altitude exposure may be associated with an increased risk of AMS. Dynamic changes in SpO2 and cardiovascular parameters after high-altitude exposure may provide objective references for AMS risk assessment.

Key words: Acute mountain sickness, Peripheral oxygen saturation, Rate pressure product, Risk factor

CLC Number: 

  • R594.3
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