Results of a Prospective Observational Study on Mountaineering Emergencies in Western Alps: Mind your head
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Brustia, Raffaele, Giulia Enrione, Bruna Catuzzo, Luca Cavoretto, Massimo Pesenti Compagnoni, Enrico Visetti, Emmanuel Cauchy, Stefanie Ziegler, and Guido Giardini. Results of a prospective observational study on mountaineering emergencies in Western Alps: mind your head. High Alt Med Biol. 17:116-121, 2016.- BACKGROUND: In the northern Italian district Valle d'Aosta district during winter and summer season the population can increase up to 170% of the resident population. A prospective monocentric observational registry was held to obtain a precise picture of seasonal mountain-related medical and traumatic major events. METHODS: From 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013 all patients admitted to the Aosta Regional Hospital Emergency Room for any event occurred above 2500 m were screened: all those affected by High Altitude Illness, Acute Illness in High Altitude, Trauma, or Cold disease were prospectively included. Activity incidence rate is expressed as the occurrence of mountain-related events per 1000 hours of mountain activity. Event Incidence rate is expressed as the occurrence of new cases per 1000 hours of mountain activity. RESULTS: Two hundred two patients were included during the study period. Trauma (65.1% vs. 24.6%, p < 0.001) and head commotive injury (48.1% vs. 15.1%, p < 0.001) were more frequent during winter compared to the summer season. High altitude illness (36.9% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001) and cold pathologies (15.1% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001) occurred more frequently in summer than in winter. Patients (51.4%) were immediately discharged from emergency room, 8.4% after a 24-hour observation period, and 30.6% required hospitalization. During summer, the event risk is 0.013 per person and 1000 hours of mountain activity, while in winter, event risk amounts to 0.005 per person and 1000 hours of mountain activity. COMMENTS: High altitude medical events or trauma represent <1% of pathologies observed in the emergency room department of a mountain district in the western Alps. Head commotive injury is the most observed mountain-related event in high altitude, in winter and during ski practice. High altitude illness and cold injuries are observed more frequently in summer, during trekking or climbing activities.
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The average incidence of HT is approximately 1.5% among athletes who participate in open-water swimming events.
“and approximately 1.5% among athletes who participate in open-water swimming events [27,50,51].”
From Nutrition-Related Adverse Outcomes in Endurance Sports Competitions: A Review of Incidence and Practical Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as [27]
The average incidence of HT is 1.7% for all studies included.
“According to the data we have obtained, the average incidence of HT is 1.7% for all studies included”
From Nutrition-Related Adverse Outcomes in Endurance Sports Competitions: A Review of Incidence and Practical Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as [27]
HT is not limited to sports involving swimming races; it also occurs in other sports such as mountaineering and mountain races, where high altitude causes a descent in temperature and increases the probability of HT.
“but it is not limited to sports involving swimming races, it also occurs in other sports such as mountaineering and mountain races, in which high altitude causes a descent in temperature and increases the probability that athletes suffer this condition [27].”
From Nutrition-Related Adverse Outcomes in Endurance Sports Competitions: A Review of Incidence and Practical Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as [27]
The incidence of HT is lower than those of other adverse outcomes.
“The incidence of HT is lower than those of other adverse outcomes”
From Nutrition-Related Adverse Outcomes in Endurance Sports Competitions: A Review of Incidence and Practical Recommendations (2020) · cites this paper as [27]
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- Authors
- Brustia, R., Enrione, G., Catuzzo, B., Cavoretto, L., Pesenti Campagnoni, M., Visetti, E., Cauchy, E., Ziegler, S., Giardini, G., & on behalf of RESAMONT 2 Project Group
- Affiliations
- Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital (FR)
- Aosta Regional Hospital
- Hôpitaux du Mont Blanc
- Corresponding author
- Brustia, Raffaele
- Venue
- High Altitude Medicine & Biology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-05-23
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 116-121
- ISSN
- 1527-0297 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-8682
- OpenAlex
- W2395801742
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 1.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- High Altitude Medicine & Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › High Altitude and Hypoxia
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Winter Sports Injuries and Performance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Trauma and Emergency Care Studies
- Keywords
- high-altitude illness, seasonal variation, incidence rates, emergency department admission, Western Alps, Aosta Valley, hospitalization, high-altitude medicine, head injury prevention, disaster preparedness
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Altitude, Altitude Sickness, Child, Child, Preschool, Emergencies, Female, Humans, Hypothermia, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Mountaineering, Prospective Studies, Seasons, Incidence, Young Adult
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