Obesity: associations with acute mountain sickness

Article Abstract:

Background: Although few retrospective studies of high altitude have reported that obesity might be associated with the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS), this association has not been studied prospectively. Objective: To determine whether obesity is associated with the development of AMS. Design: Obese and nonobese men were compared at a simulated altitude of 3658 m (12 000 ft). Setting: 24 hours in a hypobaric environmental chamber. Participants: 9 obese and 10 nonobese men. Measurements: Percentage body fat (by hydrostatic weighing), Lake Louise AMS score, and SaO(sub 2) level (by pulse oximetry) were measured. Results: Average AMS scores increased more rapidly with time spent at simulated high altitudes for obese men than for nonobese men (P < 0.001). The response of SaO(sub 2) with exposure differed between nonobese and obese men. After 24 hours in the altitude chamber, seven obese men (78%) and four nonobese men (40%) had AMS scores of 4 or more. Conclusion: Obesity seems to be associated with the development of AMS, which may be partly related to greater nocturnal desaturation with altitude exposure.

Author Abstract

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Excess body weight is not independently associated with outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury

Article Abstract:

The main objective is to examine the association between excess body weight and outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury and 902 mechanically ventilated patients participated in it. The results shows that no significant interaction is found between ventilator protocol assignment and Body Mass Index (BMI) category indicating that patients with normal, overweight, or obese BMI benefit from lower total volume ventilation for acute long injury.

United States, Care and treatment, Physical fitness, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Adult respiratory distress syndrome

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Obesity and mountain sickness

Article Abstract:

Obese people may have a higher risk of developing mountain sickness, according to a study of nine obese and 10 non-obese men. The men were studied in a decompression chamber, which can be used to reproduce the effect of being at a high altitude. The obese men had greater symptoms of mountain sickness in the chamber than the non-obese men.

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