| Efficacy of low-dose acetazolamide (125 mg BID) for the prophylaxis of acute mountain sickness: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12713711 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of low-dose acetazolamide (125 mg twice daily) for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS). The design was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal between Pheriche (4243 m), the study enrollment site, and Lobuje (4937 m), the study endpoint. The participants were 197 healthy male and female trekkers of diverse background, and they were evaluated with the Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Scoring System and pulse oximetry. The main outcome measures were incidence and severity of AMS as judged by the Lake Louise Questionnaire score at Lobuje. Of the 197 participants enrolled, 155 returned their data sheets at Lobuje. In the treatment group there was a statistically significant reduction in incidence of AMS (placebo group, 24.7%, 20 out of 81 subjects; acetazolamide group, 12.2%, 9 out of 74 subjects). Prophylaxis with acetazolamide conferred a 50.6% relative risk reduction, and the number needed to treat in order to prevent one instance of AMS was 8. Of those with AMS, 30% in the placebo group (6 of 20) versus 0% in the acetazolamide group (0 of 9) experienced a more severe degree of AMS as defined by a Lake Louise Questionnaire score of 5 or greater (p = 0.14). Secondary outcome measures associated with statistically significant findings favoring the treatment group included decrease in headache and a greater increase in final oxygen saturation at Lobuje. We concluded that acetazolamide 125 mg twice daily was effective in decreasing the incidence of AMS in this Himalayan trekking population. |
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Authors:
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Buddha Basnyat; Jeffrey H Gertsch; E William Johnson; Franco Castro-Marin; Yoshio Inoue; Clement Yeh |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial |
Journal Detail:
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Title: High altitude medicine & biology Volume: 4 ISSN: 1527-0297 ISO Abbreviation: High Alt. Med. Biol. Publication Date: 2003 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-04-25 Completed Date: 2003-08-01 Revised Date: 2004-11-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 100901183 Medline TA: High Alt Med Biol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 45-52 Citation Subset: IM; S |
Affiliation:
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Nepal International Clinic, Himalayan Rescue Association. nic@naxal.wlink.com.np |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Acetazolamide
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administration & dosage* Adolescent Adult Aged Altitude Sickness / prevention & control* Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / administration & dosage* Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Double-Blind Method Female Headache / prevention & control Humans Male Middle Aged Oxygen / blood Prospective Studies Pulmonary Edema / prevention & control Questionnaires Treatment Outcome |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; 59-66-5/Acetazolamide; 7782-44-7/Oxygen |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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High Alt Med Biol. 2003 Fall;4(3):399; author reply 400
[PMID:
14561245
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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