Change in oxygen saturation does not predict acute mountain sickness on Jade Mountain.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this trial was to establish whether changes in resting oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) during ascent of Jade Mountain is useful in predicting acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS-risk factors were also assessed.


METHODS
A prospective trial was conducted on Jade Mountain, Taiwan from October 18 to October 27, 2008. Resting oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) and heart rate (HR) were measured in subjects at the trail entrance (2610 m), on arrival at Paiyun Lodge (3402 m) on day 1, and at Paiyun Lodge after reaching the summit (3952 m) the next day (day 2). AMS was diagnosed with Lake Louise criteria (AMS score ≥4). A total of 787 subjects were eligible for analysis; 286 (32.2%) met the criteria for AMS.


RESULTS
Subjects who developed AMS had significantly lower Spo(2) than those who did not at the trail entrance (93.1% ± 2.1% vs 93.5% ± 2.3%; P = .023), on arrival at Paiyun Lodge on day 1 (86.2% ± 4.7% vs 87.6% ± 4.3%; P < .001), and on the return back to the Paiyun Lodge after a summit attempt on day 2 (85.5% ± 3.5% vs 89.6% ± 3.2%; P < .001), respectively. Trekkers with AMS were significantly younger (40.0 vs 43.2 years; P < .001), and had less high altitude (>3000 m) travel in the previous 3 months (29.9% vs 37.1%; P = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with AMS had a lower Spo(2) than those without AMS; however, the differences between the 2 groups were not clinically significant. The results of this study do not support the use of pulse oximetry in predicting AMS on Jade Mountain.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Hang-Cheng
HC
Chen
Wen-Ling
WL
Lin
Jiunn-Yih
JY
Wu
Shih-Hao
SH
Wang
Te-Fa
TF
Chiu
Yi-Ming
YM
Weng
Tai-Yi
TY
Hsu
Meng-Huan
MH
Wu
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D010100:Oxygen