Objective To assess the acute high altitude sickness (AHAS) and its risk factors among public health emergency responders, so as to provide scientific proof for guaranteeing the safety and health of emergency rescue workers. Methods?The self-administered questionnaire aim at learning AHAS occurrence and its risk factors were distributed to 67 members from 4 teams at different altitudes selected among 35 rescue teams. The AHAS could be diagnosed by a total score of more than or equal to 5 within 3 days since arrival, as in the following detail: 1-3 score could be assigned in accordance with the following symptoms in degrees of the mild, moderate or severe, respectively: headache, nausea or vomiting, lassitude, dizziness and blurred vision, and sleep disorder; and 1 score could be assigned for each of the following symptoms: palpitation, shortness of breath, nosebleed, chest distress, diarrhea, constipation, cyanochroia of the lips, numbness in hands and feet, and dry cough. Results?A total of 54 among 67 (81%) responders completed the questionnaire, among whom 93% were males and the median age was 36 with the scope from 24 to 55, and 63% (34 respondents) developed AHAS. The univariate analysis showed that the altitude of the responders’ original residence (10 score for “lt;100 m” vs. 5.2 score for “gt;1 000 m”, P=0.005), experiences in high altitude areas (10 score for “having not” vs. 6.4 score for “having”, P=0.039), length of stay in an area over 2 000 m altitude before arrival (9.4 score for “≥3 days” vs. 5.7 score for “≤1 day”, P=0.011), luggage weight (9.8 score for “≥25 kg” vs. 5.5 score for “lt;25 kg”, P=0.002) were correlated with AHAS severity. The multivariate linear regression indicated that the lower altitude of the responders’ original residence and the short stay in an area over 2000m altitude before arrival were the factors influencing the severity of AHAS. The linear regression formulation was Y= 2.89 - 0.187 × the altitude of the responders’ original residence (pre 100m) + 2.43 × the length of stay in an area over 2000m altitude before arriving at Yushu (day). Conclusions?The past experiences and the pre-arrival preparation are critical factors of AHAS. Measures should be taken to protect the safety and health of responders dispatched to high altitude areas.
短期进入高原从事高强度工作所致高原反应是值得探讨的问题,查阅文献,探讨其病因及发病机理、临床表现,总结国内外在诊断、预防及治疗方面的经验,探索一套可行、有效的预防及治疗措施,具有重要的临床意义。
ObjectiveTo discuss the treatment and nursing care for Daocheng tourists with acute altitude sickness, and analyze its related factors. MethodsFrom April to September 2012, 236 Daocheng tourists with acute altitude sickness were given drugs in time, and underwent oxygen inspiration. On the basis of observing the disease, nurses also provided care and health education to the patients. ResultsBy guiding patients' psychology, diet, oxygen uptake, medication and health related education, we cured 234 patients, and the rest 2 with high altitude cerebral edema were cured after being transferred to low-lying areas. ConclusionTourists from low-lying areas are vulnerable to altitude sickness when touring high lands. Preventive medicine before entering highland areas, more rest and less exercise are important factors to prevent the occurrence of altitude sickness. Health education from nursing care providers can effectively guarantee the safety of tourists entering plateau.