Abstract

ARREGUI, Alberto. Is depression more frequent in the altitude: A pilot study. Rev Med Hered [online]. 1995, vol.6, n.4, pp.182-186. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objetive: To compare the frequency of symptoms usually associated with depression and chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Material y methods: In an epidemiologic study were included 145 electrical company workers who work at the Mantaro hydroelectric station (2,700-3,800 meters above sea level) and 223 similar workers stationed at sea level (110 meters above sea level) at the San Juan de Miraflores electric station. In both groups we calculated depression and CMS scores by measuring the presence or absence of symptoms usually associated with the two syndromes. Results: High altitude workers were younger and had lower body weights than sea level ones. In addition, high altitude workers had more frequent perception of altered health and had the highest depression and CMS scores. The relative risk of having headaches among high altitude workers was 2.7 and 0.2 among sea level ones. The relative risk of having high CMS or depression scores were highest among high altitude workers. Conclusions: The results, despite some methodologic limitation, allow the suggestion that depression may be more frequent among high altitude workers which do so under conditions of chronic hypoxia. (Rev Med Hered 1995; 6: 182-186).

Keywords : Depression; chronic mountain sickness; headaches; chronic hypoxia.

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