Association of demographic factors with acute mountain sickness: a retrospective study in Litang

Abstract

ObjectiveAcute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common clinical syndrome in high altitude areas, but the role of demographic factors in AMS has not been well-illucidated. This study aims to describe the relationship between demographic factors and AMS in Litang, one of the highest-altitude town in the world.MethodsDemographic data of patients diagnosed with AMS from January 2022 to December 2023 were collected from the information management system of Litang County People’s Hospital, including gender, age, onset time, ethnicity, current residence and its altitude. Descriptive statistical methods were used to describe these factors.Results7,290 AMS patients were included, among which 62.37% (4,547/7,290) were male and 37.63% (2,743/7,290) were female; 90.41% (6,591/7,290) were non-Tibetan, and 9.59% (699/7,290) were Tibetan; the age group 20-29 had the highest number of patients (2,422, 39.08%), and the incidence of AMS generally decreased with age; the proportion of AMS occurring from May to August reached 51.99% (3,790/7,290); the percentage from lower altitude areas was 79.05% (4,333/7,150).ConclusionsThese data from Litang suggest higher incidence of AMS may be detected in males, non-Tibetans, young people, summer time and residents from lower altitude. Special attention should be paid to these demographic factors for preventing the occurrence of AMS.