Acute mountain sickness in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and impact of acute mountain sickness in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.


METHODS
Over a 22 month period, mountaineers in the Mount Cook region were asked to complete a questionnaire at the completion of their climbing excursions. The questionnaire recorded demographic data and incorporated the Lake Louise scoring system to assess the presence of acute mountain sickness.


RESULTS
Of the 114 subjects who completed the questionnaire, 30 (26%) developed acute mountain sickness. The incidence was higher amongst those who slept above 2500 m (50%). Of those with acute mountain sickness, 33% reported that their symptoms resulted in no reduction in activity, while 13% reported a moderate or severe reduction in activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Mountaineers climbing in New Zealand's Southern Alps should be aware of the risk of acute mountain sickness, especially for those sleeping above 2500 m.
Murdoch
D R
DR
Microbiology Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch.
Curry
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires