Hackett et al reported a simple score for evaluating a patient for acute mountain sickness (AMS). This can help to identify a patient with severe AMS. The authors are from Rush=-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and the Himalayan Rescue Association.
Severe AMS refers to pulmonary (tachypnea at rest, cyanosis at rest, rales) or cerebral (incapacitating headache, gross ataxia, disorientation, papilledema) edema.
Signs and symptoms scored 3 points (each):
(1) shortness of breath at rest
(2) severe and inappropriate lassitude
(3) ataxia
Signs and symptoms scored 2 points (each):
(1) headache not relieved by 600 mg aspirin with 30 mg codeine
(2) vomiting
Non-specific findings scored 1 point:
(1) headache (excluding above)
(2) nausea or anorexia
(3) insomnia
(4) dizziness
It is unclear if 1 point is assigned for each of the non-specific findings, or if they are collectively scored as 1 point. Based on the wording in the text the latter interpretation is favored.
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 14 (with non-specific findings treated collectively)
• A score >= 2 indicates the presence of AMS.
• A score >= 6 indicates severe AMS.