Excessive polycythemia occurs in young high-altitude (3600 m) residents in the absence o lung disease
Summary. Chronic mountain sickness is present in about 8% of the male population of La Paz. Our question was whether its principal diagnostic sign, excessive polycythemia (EP) without lung disease could be found already present in young males. Of 6200 persons referred to IBBA or examined in surveys over the past 5 years, males had an average hemoglobin concentration ([hgb]) of 17.5 gm/dL. We considered values above this mean as EP, and selected 2 groups from this population: younger males (YEP, age 20.4 ± 4.2 yr; n=26), and older males (OEP, age 36.2 ± 8.7 yr, n=28). A third group of young men with [hgb] lower than 17.5 gm/dL (C, age 22.0 ± 5.3 yr; n=29) was selected as control group. The results showed that all groups were of similar height but OEP was heavier than YEP and C (69.0 ± 6.6 kg vs. 64.2 ± 7.1 kg and 60.6 ± 7.9 kg, respectively). YEP and OEP had lower PaO2 and SaO2 than C, but PaCO2, was higher only in OEP. Higher [hgb] was associated with lower PaO2 (R2= 0.55) and higher PaCO2 (R2 = 0.36) in all subjects. The increase in ventilation following 3 breaths of 10% O2 in N2 was reduced in YEP and OEP as compared to C. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and the FEVI/FVC ratio were similar in YEP and C but reduced in OEP. Lung diffusing capacity for CO (DLCO) was lower in YEP and OEP than in C after controlling for [hgb]. We concluded that EP in the absence of lung disease occurs in young men, who show a blunted ventilatory response to hypoxia and have alveolar hypoventilation.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Health & height proceeding
2002
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| Subjects: | POLICITEMIA, ALTURA, ENFERMEDAD PULMONAR, |
| Online Access: | http://repositorio.umsa.bo/xmlui/handle/123456789/25325 |
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