Climbers with diabetes do well on Mount Kilimanjaro

UIAA Medical Commission Recommendations for Mountaineers, Hillwalkers, Trekkers, and Rock and Ice Climbers with Diabetes

Hillebrandt, David, Anil Gurtoo, Thomas Kupper, Paul Richards, Volker Schöffl, Pankaj Shah, Rianne van der Spek, Nikki Wallis, and Jim Milledge. UIAA Medical Commission recommendations for mountaineers, hillwalkers, trekkers, and rock and ice climbers with diabetes. High Alt Med Biol. 24: 110-126.-The object of this advice article is not only to give the diabetic mountaineer general guidance but also to inform his or her medical team of practical aspects of care that may not be standard for nonmountaineers. The guidelines are produced in seven sections. The first is an introduction to the guidelines, and the second is an introduction to this medical problem and is designed to be read and understood by diabetic patients and their companions. The third section is for use in an emergency in mountains. The fourth is for rock, ice, and competition climbers operating in a less remote environment. These initial sections are deliberately written in simple language. The fifth and sixth sections are written for clinicians and those with skills to read more technical information, and the seventh looks at modern technology and its pros and cons in diabetes management in a remote area. Sections One and Two could be laminated and carried when in the mountains, giving practical advice.

Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Management

The Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel in 2018 to develop a set of evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes, as well as the recognition, prevention, and treatment of complications of diabetes in wilderness athletes. We present a review of the classifications, pathophysiology, and evidence-based guidelines for planning and preventive measures, as well as best practice recommendations for both routine and urgent therapeutic management of diabetes and glycemic complications. These recommendations are graded based on the quality of supporting evidence and balance between the benefits and risks or burdens for each recommendation.

Diabetes-Related Knowledge of Polish National Mountain Leaders

Nabrdalik, Katarzyna, Hanna Kwiendacz, Monika Gubała, Kinga Tyrała, Mariusz Seweryn, Andrzej Tomasik, Tomasz Sawczyn, Michał Kukla, Władysław Grzeszczak, and Janusz Gumprecht. Diabetes-related knowledge of Polish national mountain leaders. High Alt Med Biol. 19:237-243, 2018.-Mountain trekking is a popular activity for patients with diabetes. In Poland, mountain leaders often accompany organized groups to ensure their safety during treks; we aimed to evaluate their competency in caring for diabetic clients by assessing their diabetes-related knowledge. This was a cross-sectional study among Polish, certified, active mountain leaders carried out by means of an anonymous, standardized 41-item questionnaire adapted from a study by Wee et al. It was distributed through e-mail to 500 leaders. A total of 106 (21.2%) mountain leaders completed the questionnaire (males 60.4%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 38.6 (13.5) years. Their mean (SD) length of experience acting as a mountain leader was 11.9 (10.2) years. The average score was 72.4% of the maximum possible (29.7 of 41 points). Results varied significantly depending on gender (p = 0.006). The percentage of correct answers among questions in each section varied between 23.6% and 100%. The main sources of diabetes-related knowledge identified by respondents were members of their family and their friends who suffer from diabetes (33%). First aid courses were indicated as sources of information by only 12.6% of the informants. Results of the questionnaire revealed that respondents did have a reasonable level of diabetes-related knowledge. There were topics in which the respondents achieved lower than an average score, demonstrating a need for further education.

Diabetes, trekking and high altitude: recognizing and preparing for the risks

Although regular physical activity is encouraged for individuals with diabetes, exercise at high altitude increases risk for a number of potential complications. This review highlights our current understanding of the key physiological and clinical issues that accompany high-altitude travel and proposes basic clinical strategies to help overcome obstacles faced by trekkers with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Although individuals with diabetes have adaptations to the hypoxia of high altitude (increased ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure and hormonal responses), elevated counter-regulatory hormones can impair glycaemic control, particularly if mountain sickness occurs. Moreover, high-altitude-induced anorexia and increased energy expenditure can predispose individuals to dysglycaemia unless careful adjustments in medication are performed. Frequent blood glucose monitoring is imperative, and results must be interpreted with caution because capillary blood glucose meter results may be less accurate at high elevations and low temperatures. It is also important to undergo pre-travel screening to rule out possible contraindications owing to chronic diabetes complications and make well-informed decisions about risks. Despite the risks, healthy, physically fit and well-prepared individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who are capable of advanced self-management can be encouraged to participate in these activities and attain their summit goals. Moreover, trekking at high altitude can serve as an effective means to engage in physical activity and to increase confidence with fundamental diabetes self-management skills.

Physical activity at altitude: challenges for people with diabetes: a review

BACKGROUND

A growing number of subjects with diabetes take part in physical activities at altitude such as skiing, climbing, and trekking. Exercise under conditions of hypobaric hypoxia poses some unique challenges on subjects with diabetes, and the presence of diabetes can complicate safe and successful participation in mountain activities. Among others, altitude can alter glucoregulation. Furthermore, cold temperatures and altitude can complicate accurate reading of glucose monitoring equipment and storage of insulin. These factors potentially lead to dangerous hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Over the last years, more information has become available on this subject.

PURPOSE

To provide an up-to-date overview of the pathophysiological changes during physical activity at altitude and the potential problems related to diabetes, including the use of (continuous) blood glucose monitors and insulin pumps. To propose practical recommendations for preparations and travel to altitude for subjects with diabetes.

DATA SOURCES AND SYNTHESIS

We researched PubMed, medical textbooks, and related Internet sites, and extracted human studies and data based on relevance for diabetes, exercise, and altitude.

LIMITATIONS

Given the paucity of controlled trials regarding diabetes and altitude, we composed a narrative review and filled in areas lacking diabetes-specific studies with data obtained from nondiabetic subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with diabetes can take part in activities at high, and even extreme, altitude. However, careful assessment of diabetes-related complications, optimal preparation, and adequate knowledge of glycemic regulation at altitude and altitude-related complications is needed.

Short-term exposure to hypoxia for work and leisure activities in health and disease: which level of hypoxia is safe?

INTRODUCTION

Exposures to natural and simulated altitudes entail reduced oxygen availability and thus hypoxia. Depending on the level of hypoxia, the duration of exposure, the individual susceptibility, and preexisting diseases, health problems of variable severity may arise. Although millions of people are regularly or occasionally performing mountain sport activities, are transported by airplanes, and are more and more frequently exposed to short-term hypoxia in athletic training facilities or at their workplace, e.g., with fire control systems, there is no clear consensus on the level of hypoxia which is generally well tolerated by human beings when acutely exposed for short durations (hours to several days).

CONCLUSIONS

Available data from peer-reviewed literature report adaptive responses even to altitudes below 2,000 m or corresponding normobaric hypoxia (F(i)O(2) > 16.4%), but they also suggest that most of exposed subjects without severe preexisting diseases can tolerate altitudes up to 3,000 m (F(i)O(2) > 14.5%) well. However, physical activity and unusual environmental conditions may increase the risk to get sick. Large interindividual variations of responses to hypoxia have to be expected, especially in persons with preexisting diseases. Thus, the assessment of those responses by hypoxic challenge testing may be helpful whenever possible.

Determinants of summiting success and acute mountain sickness on Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 m)

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS), the frequency of summiting success, and the factors that affect these in trekkers on Kilimanjaro, one of the world's most summitted high-altitude peaks.

METHODS

The study group comprised 312 trekkers attempting Mt Kilimanjaro summit by the Marango Route. Trekkers ascended over 4 or 5 days along a fixed ascent profile, stopping at 3 huts on ascent (2700 m, 3700 m, and 4700 m) before attempting the summit. Researchers were stationed at each hut for 16 days. Each night we measured heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and Lake Louise Score. We recorded the highest altitude that trekkers reached on the mountain.

RESULTS

Of 181 complete sets of data, 111 (61%) trekkers reached the summit, and 139 (77%) developed AMS. Physiological results were not related to summit success. The incidence of AMS and summiting success were similar in those on the 4- or 5-day route. Trekkers on the 5-day route who used acetazolamide were less likely to develop AMS and more likely to summit than were those not taking acetazolamide (P = <.05); this difference was not present with trekkers on the 4-day route.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of developing AMS is high on Mt Kilimanjaro. Although taking an extra day to acclimatize with the use of acetazolamide did provide some protection against AMS, ideally trekkers need a more gradual route profile for climbing this mountain.