Diagnostic criteria of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome among plateau migrants after their return to the plain: a multi-center randomized controlled trial

Qi-quan Zhou; Sheng-yue Yang; Zhen-cai Yuan; Yin-hu Wang; Xue-feng Zhang; Wei Gao; Zi-fu Shi; You-li Yang; Yun-hong Wu; Yong Fan; Fu-ling Wang; Guan-song Wang

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Diagnostic criteria of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome among plateau migrants after their return to the plain: a multi-center randomized controlled trial

CROSS JOURNAL COLLECTION | Updated：2026-03-12

- Diagnostic criteria of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome among plateau migrants after their return to the plain: a multi-center randomized controlled trial
- Military Medical Research Vol. 2, Issue 1, Pages: 35-45(2015)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Qi-quan Zhou, Department of High Altitude Disease, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan street, Chongqing 400038, China
  2.Sheng-yue Yang, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fourth Hospital of PLA, Xining 810007, China
  3.Zhen-cai Yuan, Xianyang Hospital of China Railway First Group Co., Ltd, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712000, China
  4.Yin-hu Wang, Institute of High Altitude Diseases, 18th Hospital of PLA, Yecheng, Xinjiang 844900, China
  5.Xue-feng Zhang, Research Center of High Altitude Medicine, People’s Hospital of Golmud City, Golmud, Qinghai 816000, China
  6.Wei Gao, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Command, Lanzhou 730050, China
  7.Zi-fu Shi, The 68303 Troop Hospital of PLA, Wuwei, Gansu 733000, China
  8.You-li Yang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tenth Hospital of PLA, Wuwei, Gansu 733000, China
  9.Yun-hong Wu, Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chengdu 610041, China
  10.Yong Fan, Department of High Altitude Disease, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan street, Chongqing 400038, China
  11.Fu-ling Wang, Institute of High Altitude Diseases, 18 Hospital of PLA, Yecheng, Xinjiang 844900, China
  12.Guan-song Wang, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
- Author bio：
  
  *: Qi-quan Zhou, Email: zhouqq9918@163.com;
  Guan-song Wang, Email: wanggs2003@163.com
- Funds：
- DOI：
  CLC：
- Published：2015-03
- Accepted：
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Qi-quan Zhou, Sheng-yue Yang, Zhen-cai Yuan, et al. Diagnostic criteria of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome among plateau migrants after their return to the plain: a multi-center randomized controlled trial[J]. Military Medical Research, 2015, 2(1): 35-45.
DOI：

Qi-quan Zhou, Sheng-yue Yang, Zhen-cai Yuan, et al. Diagnostic criteria of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome among plateau migrants after their return to the plain: a multi-center randomized controlled trial[J]. Military Medical Research, 2015, 2(1): 35-45. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic methods of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome and to formulate diagnostic criteria.

Methods:

This study was conducted using epidemiological surveys and a multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 3

011 subjects were studied

and the following indices were collected after their return to low altitude areas from the plateau: general health status

blood

urine and stool samples

myocardial enzyme levels

liver and kidney function

nerve function

sex hormone levels

microalbuminuria

electrocardiogram (ECG)

echocardiography

pulmonary function

and hemorheological markers. These data were compared to those of randomized healthy subjects in the same age range who lived at the same altitude to determine the characteristics of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome. Based on these characteristics

diagnostic criteria for high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome were formulated.

Results:

This study demonstrated that the incidence of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome was 84.36%. Sixty percent of the cases were mild

30% were medium

and 10% were severe. The incidence was higher among those who returned to a place of lower altitude

resided at a high altitude for a longer period of time

or engaged in heavy labor while at high altitude. Patients with high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome manifested hematological abnormalities and abnormal ventricular function

notably a right ventricular diastolic function

which recovered to baseline function after one to five years. Exposure to long-term hypoxia often caused obvious changes in cardiac morphology

i.e.

left and right ventricular hypertrophy

particularly within the right ventricle. In addition

patients with high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome often presented with low blood pressure

low pulse pressure

and microalbuminuria. A few patients presented with occult blood in their feces. The diagnosis of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome can be made if a patient who recently returns to the plain from the plateau complains of dizziness

weakness

sleepiness

chest tightness

edema

memory loss

and other symptoms and signs that do not alleviate under short-term rehabilitation or symptomatic treatment

and if organic diseases of the heart

lung

kidney

and other organs have been excluded.

Conclusion:

The diagnosis of high altitude de-acclimatization syndrome should be made after a comprehensive analysis of the patient's clinical symptoms and signs.

关键词

Keywords

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