Faculty Collaboration Database

The role of menopause in the development of chronic mountain sickness. Am J Physiol 1997 Jan;272(1 Pt 2):R90-4

Date

01/01/1997

Pubmed ID

9038995

DOI

10.1152/ajpregu.1997.272.1.R90

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031022553 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   93 Citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of menopause in the appearance of the physiopathological sequence that leads to chronic mountain sickness (CMS) in a high-altitude female population. The females studied are 30-54 yr old (n = 152) and have permanent residence in Cerro de Pasco (Pasco, Peru; 4,300 m). The sample was divided into postmenopausal and premenopausal groups for comparison. Blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), excessive erythrocytosis [EE, measured by the level of hematocrit (Het)], peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), and a score that represents the main signs and symptoms of CMS (CMSscore) were measured. Postmenopausal women had higher Het (50.2 +/- 4.04 vs. 47.4 +/- 4.13%, P < 0.001), lower SaO2 (81.9 +/- 4.12 vs. 84.7 +/- 3.14%, P < 0.001) and PEFR values (489 +/- 101 vs. 534 +/- 90 l/min, P < 0.02), and slightly higher CMSscore (19.1 +/- 3.37 vs. 17.9 +/- 3.48, P < 0.06) than premenopausal women. The prevalence of women with EE (EE = Hct > 56%) was found to be 8.8%. Forty-five percent of the postmenopausal subjects presented a high CMSscore (> 21), whereas only 22% of the premenopausal subjects presented this high value (P < 0.02). We can therefore conclude that menopause may represent a contributing factor for the development of CMS.

Author List

León-Velarde F, Ramos MA, Hernández JA, De Idiáquez D, Muñoz LS, Gaffo A, Córdova S, Durand D, Monge C

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Age Distribution
Aging
Altitude Sickness
Chronic Disease
Female
Hematocrit
Humans
Menopause
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Polycythemia
Premenopause
Prevalence