Hematological Response of Sherpas at High Altitude
Author Information
Author(s): Johanna Roche, Santosh Baniya, Suraj Bhatta, Sachin Subedi, Hannes Gatterer, Peter Rasmussen, Matthias Peter Hilty, Anne-Aylin Sigg, Santhosh Timalsina, Christoph Siebenmann
Primary Institution: Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research
Hypothesis
Sherpas will have a smaller increase in erythropoietin and hemoglobin mass compared to lowlanders at high altitude.
Conclusion
Sherpas experience similar increases in hemoglobin mass and reductions in plasma volume as lowlanders when acclimatizing to high altitude.
Supporting Evidence
- Sherpas showed marked increases in hemoglobin mass after 6 weeks at high altitude.
- Both Sherpas and lowlanders had similar reductions in plasma volume.
- Erythropoietin levels increased significantly in both groups during high altitude exposure.
Takeaway
Sherpas and lowlanders both get more red blood cells and less plasma when they go to high altitudes, but Sherpas don't change as much as lowlanders.
Methodology
Participants were measured for hemoglobin mass and plasma volume at low altitude and after ascending to Everest Base Camp.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the inclusion of smokers and the exercise associated with ascent to high altitude.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and included some participants who had brief sojourns at lower altitudes.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 18 Sherpas and 17 lowlanders, mostly males, aged around 35 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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