MIGRAINE, POLYCYTHEMIA AND CHRONIC MOUNTAIN-SICKNESS

In the epidemiological study among 379 adult men with permanent reside nce at 4300 meters (14,200 feet), we found 32.2% with migraine (mostly migraine with aura), 15.2% with tension-type headache (episodic more than chronic), and 7.2% with other headaches. The frequency of migrain e increased with age from 30.1% in the 20-29 year age group to 36.8% i n the 50-59 year group. Episodic tension-type headaches also showed th is trend. We found an age-specific increase in the frequency of high h emoglobin (Hb > 213 g/l); low oxygen saturation (O-2 saturation <81.5% ), and high chronic mountain sickness scores. Male migraineurs and tho se with more than two headaches per month had the highest hemoglobin l evels and chronic mountain sickness scores when compared with high alt itude men without headaches.