Physiological, hematological and biochemical factors associated with high-altitude headache in young Chinese males following acute exposure at 3700 m

BACKGROUND

High-altitude headache (HAH) is the most common sickness occurred in healthy people after rapid ascending to high altitude, and its risk factors were still not well understood. To investigate physiological, hematological and biochemical risk factors associated with high-altitude headache (HAH) after acute exposure to 3700 m, we conducted a two-stage, perspective observational study. In 72 h, total 318 young Han Chinese males ascended from sea level (altitude of 50 m) to altitude of 3700 m by train. Demographic data, physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters of all participants were collected within one week prior to the departure, and within 24 h after arrival.

RESULTS

The incidence of HAH was 74.84%. For parameters measured at sea level, participants with HAH exhibited significantly higher age and lower BUN (p < 0.05). For parameters measured at 3700 m, participants with HAH exhibited significantly lower blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), higher resting heart rate (HR), higher systolic blood pressure at resting (SBP) and lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (all p < 0.05). At 3700 m, the severity of HAH associated with SpO2, HR and BUN significantly (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that for parameters at sea level, BUN was associated with HAH [BUN (OR:0.77, 95% CI:0.60-0.99)] and for parameters at 3700 m, SpO2, HR and BUN were associated with HAH independently [SpO2 (OR:0.84, 95% CI:0.76-0.93); HR (OR:1.03, 95% CI:1.00-1.07); BUN (OR:0.64, 95% CI:0.46-0.88)]. No association between hematological parameters and HAH was observed.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed that higher HR, lower SpO2 are independent risk factors for HAH. Furthermore, we found that at both 50 m and 3700 m, lower BUN is a novel independent risk factor for HAH, providing new insights for understanding the pathological mechanisms.

Headaches attributed to airplane travel: a Danish survey

Background

Airplane headache (AH) is a headache that occurs during take-off and landing. The pain is described as severe, unilateral, and located in the fronto-orbital region. This study aimed at investigating the incidence of AH among Scandinavian air-travelers, and to elucidating potential risk factors.

Methods

An online, Danish-survey was developed. The questionnaire consisted of 14 questions and was distributed through the Facebook-pages of Scandinavian-airlines and interest organizations. Participants reached the questionnaire through a web-link.

Results

Out of 254 responses, 89 noted that they suffered from headaches associated to airplane travel. Of the 89, 21 cases the headache was severe and limited to 30 min duration, as described in the ICH’s criteria of AH. The remaining 68 cases indicated that the headache lasted longer than 30 min. Our data demonstrated that High-Altitude Headache (HAH) is a risk factor for developing AH (p < 0.05). Triptans (19 %) and paracetamol (5 %) were reported effective to relieve AH.

Conclusion

This study indicates that up to 8.3 % of the studied population suffered from AH, with a higher incidence in those with a history of HAH. Self-medication by triptans and paracetamol were reported effective for relieving AH.