Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41778122›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2026

Qi deficiency constitution increases risk of acute mountain sickness via reduced aerobic fitness.

Shiwei Shen, Yidan Gao, Lingxian Zhu, Shixuan Dai, Mei Tian, Li Jin, Jiucun Wang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shiwei ShenState Key Laboratory of Genetics and Development of Complex Phenotypes, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Yidan GaoHuman Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Lingxian ZhuMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Shixuan DaiHuman Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Mei TianHuman Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Li JinState Key Laboratory of Genetics and Development of Complex Phenotypes, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Jiucun WangState Key Laboratory of Genetics and Development of Complex Phenotypes, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common disorder affecting individuals who are exposed to high-altitude environments, generally defined as an elevation of above 2,500 meters. Identifying risk factors for AMS susceptibility before exposure is essential for prevention. According to current research, different constitution types exhibit varying tolerance to acute hypoxia. Exploring the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution and AMS may therefore provide novel perspectives for prevention and treatment from a TCM standpoint. Methods: A total of 183 healthy young male participants were enrolled and assessed for TCM constitution, demographic characteristics, clinical indices, and 3,000-meter run performance at low altitude (200 m). After rapid ascent from low altitude to 3,600 m by airplane within 3 h, participants were evaluated for AMS using the Lake Louise Score (LLS). Logistic regression was applied to assess the association between TCM constitution types and AMS, and then linear regression was applied to explore factors associated with Qi deficiency constitution. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate whether aerobic fitness, as reflected by 3,000-meter run performance, mediated the relationship between Qi deficiency constitution and AMS. Results: The incidence of AMS was 40.4%. Among the nine TCM constitution types, only Qi deficiency was independently associated with an increased risk of AMS (adjusted OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19, Conclusion: Qi deficiency constitution is an independent risk factor for AMS, and this association is mediated through reduced aerobic fitness, reflected by 3,000-meter run performance. Assessing TCM constitution could be a new way to identify individuals at higher risk for AMS before high-altitude exposure. Pre-acclimatization strategies aimed at improving Qi deficiency or enhancing aerobic capacity could help prevent AMS in susceptible populations.

Indexed as

Altitude SicknessMedicine, Chinese TraditionalPhysical FitnessQiAcute DiseaseAdultAltitudeHumansMaleRisk FactorsYoung Adult3000-meter run performanceacute mountain sicknessaerobic fitnessQi deficiency constitutionstructural equation modelingtraditional Chinese medicine constitution

Identifiers

PMID41778122
PMCPMC12950716

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