Urinary catecholamine excretion on induction to high altitude (3,658 m) by air and road

Authors:
  • RHR. S. Hoon
    R. S. Hoon
  • SSS. C. Sharma
    S. C. Sharma
  • VBV. Balasubramanian
    V. Balasubramanian
  • KCK. S. Chadha
    K. S. Chadha
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Abstract
In a preliminary pilot study we had reported a significant difference in urinary catecholamine excretion between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals inducted to high altitude by air. The present study covers slower induction by road; 25 lowlanders ascended from 1,800 to 3,658 m in 50 h and 33 similar subjects covered the journey in 6 h. They were studied according to the protocal used in the initial study. None of the 58 subjects inducted by road developed symptoms of high-altitude illness. Their urinary catecholamine excretion remained normal during the 10 days' stay at high altitude. These findings lend support to our earlier contention that there might be a relationship between increased sympathoadrenal activity and high-altitude illnesses.