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The relationship between anxiety and acute mountain sickness
Christopher J Boos1,2,3, Malcolm Bass4, John P O'Hara3
1Department of Cardiology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation trust, Poole, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|June 22, 2018
Summary
Trait anxiety predicts severe acute mountain sickness (AMS) at high altitude. State anxiety during ascent is linked to AMS development and severity. Understanding these psychological factors is key for prevention.
Area of Science:
- High-altitude medicine
- Psychological research
- Human physiology
Background:
- Physical factors influencing high-altitude illness are well-studied.
- Psychological factors, particularly anxiety, are less understood in relation to high-altitude (HA) illness and acute mountain sickness (AMS).
- This study investigates the role of anxiety in AMS risk during progressive ascent to very HA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between state anxiety and AMS risk during a progressive ascent to very high altitude.
- To identify predictors of state anxiety and AMS development.
- To assess the influence of trait anxiety on AMS severity.
Main Methods:
- Eighty healthy adults were monitored at baseline (848m) and during a trek to 5140m.
- HA-related symptoms (Lake Louise Score, AMS-C Score) and state anxiety (STAI Y-1) were measured at multiple altitudes.
- Trait anxiety (STAI Y-2) was assessed at baseline; statistical analyses identified independent predictors.
Main Results:
- State anxiety scores increased at altitudes above 4072m and correlated with AMS symptom scores.
- Female sex, lower age, higher heart rate, and higher AMS scores predicted significant state anxiety.
- Trait anxiety at baseline independently predicted severe AMS development (p=0.04).
- State anxiety at HA independently predicted AMS and its severity.
Conclusions:
- Trait anxiety at low altitude is a significant predictor of severe AMS.
- State anxiety experienced at high altitude is independently associated with AMS and its severity.
- Psychological factors, specifically anxiety, play a crucial role in high-altitude illness.
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