Altitude-Related Disorders on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Two-Year Survey in a Local Referral Center.

Introduction: A significant number of climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro are affected by altitude-related disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the main causes of morbidity and mortality in a representative cohort of climbers based on local hospital records.

Methods: We conducted a 2-y retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to the main referral hospital in the region after a climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, including all relevant records and referrals for postmortem studies.

Results: We identified 62 climbers who presented to the hospital: 47 inpatients and 15 outpatients. Fifty-six presented with high altitude illness, which included acute mountain sickness (n=8; 14%), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (n=30; 54%), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) (n=7; 12%), and combined HAPE/HACE (n=11; 20%). The mean altitude of symptom onset ranged from 4600±750 m for HAPE to 5000±430 m for HAPE/HACE. The vast majority of inpatients (n=41; 87%) were improved on discharge. Twenty-one deceased climbers, most having died while climbing (n=17; 81%), underwent postmortem evaluation. Causes of death were HAPE (n=16; 76%), HAPE/HACE (n=3; 14%), trauma (1), and cardiopulmonary (1).

Conclusions: HAPE was the main cause of death during climbing as well as for hospital admissions. The vast majority of climbers who presented to hospital made a full recovery.