Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: To determine the incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness (A - AMS) in pilgrims. Although it is well known that western trekkers suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) in other mountains, not much is documented about the incidence of AMS in the Damavand Mountains, Iranian population that go to high altitude and its related contributing factors.

 Materials and Methods: The design was a cross sectional study. During six weeks (in summer 2000) a population of 459 pilgrims was studied. The period of the study was six weeks in summer AMS symptoms, were assessed by an extensively used standard questionnaier (Lake Louise), applied at 2900 m, after than arrive at 4200 m above sea level, and during descent from summit Damavand (at 4200 m) at Damavand in Iran Alborz Mountain.

Results: The overall incidence of A.M.S. was 60.8 percent. Climbers had 13-71 years and 67.8 percent of the study population was men. Men did not differ significantly higher rate of AMS from women. The incidence being increased in those who residence at an altitude below 600 m, climbed fast, amateur climbers, a previous AMS experience or high altitude illness, a history of AMS at ascent to Damavand and ascent time at night (6pm-6am). It was weakly dependent to rate of ascent (from 2800 m up 4200 m less that 4 hours) and sleep in 4200 m. The incidence of AMS was unrelated to sex, age, body mass index (BMI), height, weight, smoking, to the load carried and knapsack and spent more than 15 hours in shelter (at 4200 m). So it was independent of rate of ascent in the higher altitude (from 4200 m to 5671 m), speed of descent and family history of AMS.

 Conclusions: Data show a strong relation between experiences mountaineer, history of AMS, ascent time at night and the incidence of acute mountain sickness in 459 climbers studied at high altitudes that didn’t report previously.

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Background: Both hypoxia and hypocapnia can cause broncho-constriction in humans, and this could have a bearing on performance at high altitude. The objective of this study was to examine how pulmonary ventilatory function during high-altitude trekking.
Methods: This study was a before and after study on spirometric parameters at Base line (1150 m above sea level), and after ascending at 4150 m above sea level. This study was performed in summer 2004 at Cialan Mountain in Iran. Fifty six healthy male University student volunteers were enrolled in the study. Respiratory function was assessed in participants before ascending at baseline (1150 meter) and after ascending at 4150 meter in Cialan Mount with a Spirolab II. Spirometric parameters changes were compared using paired t-test statistical analysis computations were performed by spss 11.5 and p≤0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age and body mass lindex of our subjects were 22.9±5.3 years and 21.5±2.5, respectively. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly decreased with increasing altitude from baseline level (P<0.01). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) and maximal midexpiratory flow rate (FEF 25-75%) were significantly increased with increasing altitude (P=0.001). There was no significant change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and peak flow (P>0.05). FVC fell by the average of 7.1% at 4150m (2.4% per 1000m increased altitude) in comparison to 1150m.
Conclusion: The changes in some pulmonary ventilatory parameters were proportional to the magnitude of change in altitude during a high-altitude trek.

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Background: As future health care providers, medical students should be aware of the relationship between health and physical fitness, giving them an advantage toward attaining proper physical fitness. The exercise and fitness habits of first-year medical students in Iran are not known. This study examines the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) of an unselected group of first-year medical students and their personal physical fitness.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 513 first-year medical students were evaluated. BMI, skin folds (triceps, biceps, suprailiac and subscapular) and physical fitness were assessed in all students. Fitness was evaluated by the Eurofit test, which included body composition, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, power, balance and agility. The software SPSS (version 11) and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The group surveyed was 67.8% female and 32.2% male, and 97.2% were entering medical school in 2004. The mean weight of the students was 60.1 kg, mean height was 163.9 cm and the mean BMI was 22.3 kg/m2. Underweight status (BMI<20) was observed in 27.1% of the subjects, 16.1% were overweight (2530). Overweight and obesity in males was higher than in females. The total physical fitness score in female students was better than that of male students. We found a negative correlation between physical fitness and weight, BMI, body fat and wrist to hip ratio in both genders. In addition, a positive correlation exits between hip circumference and physical fitness in both groups.
Conclusions: This study suggests that academically competitive premedical students may not be involved in physical activity. Medical students should be encouraged to maintain a good BMI and perform physical exercise.