[The clinical characteristics of acute severe high-altitude diseases in indigenous Tibetans].

Objective: To describe the incidence and clinical characteristics of acute severe high-altitude diseases in indigenous Tibetans.

Methods: The medical records of indigenous Tibetan patients with high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), who were treated in this hospital from June of 1956 to June of 2005, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: A total of 3 184 cases of high-altitude disease were recorded in this period. Twenty four patients (0.75%, 24/3 184), 21 with HAPE and 3 with HACE, were indigenous Tibetans. Risk factors or precipitating factors were found in all the 24 cases, including getting into even higher altitude, exertion, cold, and alcohol drinking. From clinical symptoms, physical signs and laboratory examinations, it was found that 9 cases were complicated with multi-organ dysfunction.

Conclusion: Indigenous Tibetans who travel between the plateau and the plain or to even higher altitude can suffer from hypoxic injury, even acute severe high-altitude disease, which may be complicated by multi-organ dysfunction.