title: Physiological and psychological factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache in Chinese men upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m.
abstract: Aim We aimed to identify clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache (HAH) after acute exposure at 3700 m. Method In two hours, 163 individuals ascended by plane to 3700 m. Demographic information, physiological and psychological measurements, cognitive function, physical work capacity tests and profile of mood states within one week prior to the departure and within 24 hours after arrival were examined. Results HAH patients featured significantly higher vertebral artery diastolic velocity (Vd), heart rate (HR) and pulmonary artery diameter. HAH was also associated with a more negative mood state, including scores for tension anxiety, depression, hostility, fatigue and confusion, as well as lower vigor (all p values <0.05). Furthermore, negative emotions were positively related to HAH severity. HAH slightly decreased cognitive functioning. HR, Vd, lack of vigor, confusion and self-reported anxiety (all p values <0.05) were independent risk factors for HAH. We have identified three independent baseline predictors for HAH including internal diameter of the left ventricle (LVD), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and confusion score. Conclusions Higher HR, Vd, confusion and self-reported anxiety and insufficient vigor were independent risk factors for HAH. Furthermore, higher baseline LVD, AIS and confusion score are independent predictors of HAH.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Yun
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Zhu
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Hang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Ning
authors.initials: QN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Fei
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Cai-Fa
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Ultrasonography, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University.
authors.forename: Rong-Sheng
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.|2 Department of Cardiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D044466:Asian People; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: High-altitude headache; emotion; headache; mountain sickness; physiology; risk factor