Recommended Citation
Harrison MF, Anderson PJ, Johnson JB, Richert M, Miller AD, and Johnson BD. Acute mountain sickness symptom severity at the south pole: The influence of self-selected prophylaxis with acetazolamide. PLoS One 2016; 11(2):e0148206.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Publication Title
PLoS One
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, remains the only FDA approved pharmaceutical prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness (AMS) though its effectiveness after rapid transport in real world conditions is less clear.
METHODS: Over 2 years, 248 healthy adults traveled by airplane from sea level (SL) to the South Pole (ALT, ~3200m) and 226 participants provided Lake Louise Symptom Scores (LLSS) on a daily basis for 1 week; vital signs, blood samples, and urine samples were collected at SL and at ALT. Acetazolamide was available to any participant desiring prophylaxis. Comparisons were made between the acetazolamide with AMS (ACZ/AMS) (n = 42), acetazolamide without AMS (ACZ/No AMS)(n = 49), no acetazolamide with AMS (No ACZ/AMS) (n = 56), and the no acetazolamide without AMS (No ACZ/No AMS) (n = 79) groups. Statistical analysis included Chi-squared and one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Significance was p≤0.05.
RESULTS: No significant differences were found for between-group characteristics or incidence of AMS between ACZ and No ACZ groups. ACZ/AMS reported greater LLSS, BMI, and red cell distribution width. ACZ/No AMS had the highest oxygen saturation (O2Sat) at ALT. No significant differences were found in serum electrolyte concentrations or PFT results.
DISCUSSION: Acetazolamide during rapid ascent provided no apparent protection from AMS based on LLSS. However, it is unclear if this lack of effect was directly associated with the drug or if perhaps there was some selection bias with individuals taking ACZ more likely to have symptoms or if there may have been more of perceptual phenomenon related to a constellation of side effects.
Medical Subject Headings
Acetazolamide; Acute Disease; Adult; Altitude Sickness; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Oxygen; Plasma Volume; Transportation; Urinalysis
PubMed ID
26848757
Volume
11
Issue
2
First Page
0148206
Last Page
0148206
