title: Incidence of acute mountain sickness in UK Military Personnel on Mount Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common problem of trekkers to high altitude. The UK military train at high altitude through adventurous training (AT) or as exercising troops. The ascent of Point Lenana at 4985 m on Mount Kenya is frequently attempted on AT. This study sought to establish the incidence of AMS within this population, to aid future planning for military activities at altitude.
  
  
  METHODS
  A voluntary questionnaire was distributed to all British Army Training Unit Kenya based expeditions attempting to ascend Mount Kenya during the period from February to April 2014. The questionnaire included twice daily Lake Louise and Borg (perceived exertion scale) self-scoring. All expeditions were planned around a 5-day schedule, which included reserve time for acclimatisation, illness and inclement weather.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were collected on 47 participants, 70% of whom reached the summit of Point Lenana. 62% (29/47) self-reported AMS (defined as Lake Louise score (LLS) ≥3) on at least one occasion during the ascent, and 34% (10/29) suffered severe AMS (LLS ≥6). Those who attempted the climb within 2 weeks of arrival in Kenya had a higher incidence of AMS (12/15 (80%) vs 17/32 (53%), p=0.077). Participants recording a high Borg score were significantly more likely to develop AMS (16/18 vs 9/21, p=0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This represents the first informative dataset for Mount Kenya ascents and altitude. The incidence of AMS during AT on Mount Kenya using this ascent profile is high. Adapting the current ascent profile, planning the ascent after time in country and reducing perceived exertion during the trek may reduce the incidence of AMS.
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical Services, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham, UK.|Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hazlerigg
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical Services, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham, UK.|Carnegie Institute of Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.|Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical Services, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham Research Park, Birmingham, UK.|Carnegie Institute of Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.|Academic Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mellor
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005101:Expeditions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009051:Mountaineering; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PRIMARY CARE; SPORTS MEDICINE