Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China
Background: The diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) continue to be problematic due to a lack of consensus on the inclusion of symptoms in a scoring system. Recent investigations highlight the significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in identifying this conditio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-05-01
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| Series: | Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893924000322 |
| _version_ | 1827256606365057024 |
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| author | Yihui Chen Xiaoqi Tang Xiong Zeng Ben Han Huichao Xie Wei Wang Lihua Sun Mingdong Hu Yuqi Gao Weidong Xiao |
| author_facet | Yihui Chen Xiaoqi Tang Xiong Zeng Ben Han Huichao Xie Wei Wang Lihua Sun Mingdong Hu Yuqi Gao Weidong Xiao |
| author_sort | Yihui Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) continue to be problematic due to a lack of consensus on the inclusion of symptoms in a scoring system. Recent investigations highlight the significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in identifying this condition. However, the specific gastrointestinal symptoms associated with AMS have not been thoroughly elucidated in previous studies, and the underlying risk factors remain inadequately comprehended. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, trends, and risk factors related to gastrointestinal symptoms encountered during train travel to high altitude. A total of 69 passengers, specifically all with medical backgrounds, were surveyed 6 times over a period of 14 days. Results: The daily incidence of abdominal discomfort was higher than non-gastrointestinal symptoms within 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms demonstrated a greater prevalence, longer duration, and increased risk compared to non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headaches. The symptoms of abdominal distension and bowel sound hyperaction were found to be prevalent and persistent among patients diagnosed with AMS, exhibiting a high incidence rate. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were identified as risk factors associated with the occurrence and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: This study suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms are more common and persistent when traveling to the plateau by train. These symptoms should be taken into consideration in the further diagnosis and prevention of AMS. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of AMS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T11:38:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4d0b297af0be40c2b3c032031357cfe5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1873-0442 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-22T01:41:34Z |
| publishDate | 2024-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-4d0b297af0be40c2b3c032031357cfe52024-05-09T04:35:37ZengElsevierTravel Medicine and Infectious Disease1873-04422024-05-0159102718Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in ChinaYihui Chen0Xiaoqi Tang1Xiong Zeng2Ben Han3Huichao Xie4Wei Wang5Lihua Sun6Mingdong Hu7Yuqi Gao8Weidong Xiao9Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics and Special Services Medicine, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China; Corresponding author.Institute of Medicine and Equipment for High Altitude Region, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China; Corresponding author.Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China; Corresponding author.Background: The diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) continue to be problematic due to a lack of consensus on the inclusion of symptoms in a scoring system. Recent investigations highlight the significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in identifying this condition. However, the specific gastrointestinal symptoms associated with AMS have not been thoroughly elucidated in previous studies, and the underlying risk factors remain inadequately comprehended. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, trends, and risk factors related to gastrointestinal symptoms encountered during train travel to high altitude. A total of 69 passengers, specifically all with medical backgrounds, were surveyed 6 times over a period of 14 days. Results: The daily incidence of abdominal discomfort was higher than non-gastrointestinal symptoms within 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms demonstrated a greater prevalence, longer duration, and increased risk compared to non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headaches. The symptoms of abdominal distension and bowel sound hyperaction were found to be prevalent and persistent among patients diagnosed with AMS, exhibiting a high incidence rate. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were identified as risk factors associated with the occurrence and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: This study suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms are more common and persistent when traveling to the plateau by train. These symptoms should be taken into consideration in the further diagnosis and prevention of AMS. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of AMS.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893924000322Acute mountain sicknessHigh altitude |
| spellingShingle | Yihui Chen Xiaoqi Tang Xiong Zeng Ben Han Huichao Xie Wei Wang Lihua Sun Mingdong Hu Yuqi Gao Weidong Xiao Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease Acute mountain sickness High altitude |
| title | Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China |
| title_full | Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China |
| title_fullStr | Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China |
| title_short | Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China |
| title_sort | gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes a 14 day survey of 69 passengers in china |
| topic | Acute mountain sickness High altitude |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893924000322 |
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