Influence of Smoking and Alcohol Habits on Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness on Mount Fuji: A Questionnaire Survey-Based Pilot Study

Horiuchi, Masahiro, Satomi Mitsui, and Tadashi Uno. Influence of smoking and alcohol habits on symptoms of acute mountain sickness on Mount Fuji: a questionnaire survey-based pilot study. High Alt Med Biol 00:000–000, 2024. Background:Acute cigarette smoking or alcohol intake would cause opposing vasculature effects that may influence acute mountain sickness (AMS). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption behaviors, and acute smoking and consuming alcohol during ascent on AMS on Mount Fuji. Methods:This questionnaire survey study included 887 participants who climbed Mount Fuji and obtained information regarding sex, age, and smoking and alcohol habits, including behavior during ascent. Results:AMS prevalence was 45% for all participants. A univariate analysis revealed that younger participants (20–29 years) were associated with increased AMS prevalence (effect size [ES] = 0.102, p = 0.057) and severity (ES = 0.18, p = 0.01). A prediction model using multiple logistic regression indicated that several factors influenced AMS risk: younger age (p = 0.001), daily smoking habits (p = 0.021), no smoking (p = 0.033), or alcohol consumption during ascent (p = 0.096). Alcohol consumption during ascent had no effect on the increased AMS risk in younger participants (20–29 years), while alcohol consumption during ascent increased AMS risk for middle-age participants (50–59 years). Conclusion:Younger individuals are more likely to experience AMS. Smoking habits are associated with an increased AMS risk. It may be recommended that middle-aged climbers should ascend without consuming alcohol.