Hematological and pulmonary responses to high altitude in Quechuas: A multivariate approach

This study investigates the relationships among hematological variables, pu lmonary function, and age in a sample of high-altitude natives. The followi ng anthropometric and physiological variables were examined in 77 adult Que chua males from the Peruvian Central Andes (Huancavelica, 3,680 m): height, weight, sitting height, chest diameters, chest and abdominal circumference s, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), p eak expiratory flow (PEF), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cells ( RBC), hematocrit (Htc), diastolic and systolic blood pressure, body tempera ture, pulmonary rate, and pulse rate. The means of these variables for the Huancavelica sample fall within the range of variability previously observe d in Andean populations. Principal components analysis and canonical correl ation analysis suggest that in this native Andean population: 1) aging decr eases lung function but does not affect hematological features, and 2) ther e is a negative age-independent correlation between lung function (FVC, FEV 1, PEF) and hematological traits (Hb, RBC, Htc). (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.