Altitude-Related Disorders on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Two-Year Survey in a Local Referral Center

Abstract

Introduction-A significant number of climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro are affected by altituderelated disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the main causes of morbidity and mortality in a representative cohort of climbers based on local hospital records. Methods-We conducted a 2-y retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to the main referral hospital in the region after a climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, including all relevant records and referrals for postmortem studies. Results-We identified 62 climbers who presented to the hospital: 47 inpatients and 15 outpatients. Fifty-six presented with high altitude illness, which included acute mountain sickness (n=8; 14%), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (n=30; 54%), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) (n=7; 12%), and combined HAPE/HACE (n=11; 20%). The mean altitude of symptom onset ranged from 4600±750 m for HAPE to 5000±430 m for HAPE/HACE. The vast majority of inpatients (n=41; 87%) were improved on discharge. Twenty-one deceased climbers, most having died while climbing (n=17; 81%), underwent postmortem evaluation. Causes of death were HAPE (n=16; 76%), HAPE/HACE (n=3; 14%), trauma (1), and cardiopulmonary (1). Conclusions-HAPE was the main cause of death during climbing as well as for hospital admissions. The vast majority of climbers who presented to hospital made a full recovery.

A rare Case of Pulmonary Embolism in a Mt. Kilimanjaro Recreational Hiker: A Case Report with Review of Literature.

“…However, with time, there is accumulation of evidences suggesting the increase in risk of developing PE with high altitude. The study done at KCMC-Northern zonal hospital in Tanzania on mountain sickness, among 62 participants (patients); 14% had Acute Mountain Sickness, 54% had HAPE, 12% had HACE and 20% reported to have combined HAPE/HACE, however, no documentation on the patient who had pulmonary embolism [13]. This shows there is a limited documentation and probably underdiagnoses on pulmonary embolism among HAPE patients.…”

Pola Interaksi Komunitas Pendaki Gunung Bandung dalam Meningkatkan Perilaku Solidaritas

“…Prima dalam artian tidak hanya fisik yang kuat namun juga mental yang terlatih (Aedo-Muñoz, 2020;Zafeiroudi, 2020). Berbeda dengan olahraga lain, mendaki gunung merupakan olahraga yang dilakukan di alam terbuka (hutan belantara) yang memang memiliki topografi dan kondisi cuaca maupun lingkungan yang dapat berubah-ubah sehingga memiliki resiko fatal seperti cidera ringan, disorientasi medan, hipotermia, hingga meninggal dunia menjadi bahaya-bahaya yang siap mengintai para pendaki yang lalai akan persiapannya (Dekker, 2021;Hatmi, 2021;Próchniak, 2020).…”

A practical approach to high-altitude illness

“…It is generally considered an extreme or endstage form of AMS. Incidence if HACE is up to 12% at altitudes of 6000 m. (34,35) The risk factors for HACE are identical to those for AMS.…”