Digit Health. 2024 Sep 27;10:20552076241284910. doi: 10.1177/20552076241284910. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the accuracy and stability of smartwatches in predicting acute mountain sickness (AMS).

METHODS: In locations exceeding an altitude of 2500 m, a cohort of 42 subjects had their Lake Louise AMS self-assessment score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO), heart rate, and perfusion index measured using smartwatches, with the data seamlessly conveyed to the Huawei Cloud.

RESULTS: A significant decrease in SpO was observed in individuals positive for AMS compared to those negative (p < 0.05), with the mild AMS group exhibiting significantly lower SpO levels than the non-AMS group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SpO emerged as a significant, independent predictor of AMS [β=-0.086, p < 0.01, OR (95% CI) = 0.92 (0.87-0.97)], indicating that each unit increase in SpO decreases the probability of AMS occurrence by 8.6%.

CONCLUSION: The Huawei smartwatches have demonstrated efficacy in diagnosing and foretelling AMS at elevations exceeding 4000 m, showcasing significant reliability and high precision in SpO measurement

PMID:39351311 | PMC:PMC11440541 | DOI:10.1177/20552076241284910