Re: the article, “Is poor sleep quality at high altitude separate from acute mountain sickness?” by MacInnis et al. in the December 2013 issue of the journal, I have always been unhappy with the inclusion of sleep quality in the Lake Louise scoring system (LLSS). As mentioned in the article, so many extraneous factors affect sleep quality apart from acute mountain sickness (AMS). Many subjects with no other symptoms of AMS have poor sleep quality. If subjects remain at altitude after all symptoms of AMS have remitted, sleep quality is still likely to be poor, as shown by the many sleep studies at altitude. So I think there is real doubt as whether poor sleep quality is a valid symptom of AMS, rather than an effect of altitude hypoxia per se.
I have discussed this topic with a number of fellow high altitude scientists, and most agreed with the suggestion that we should consider dropping this factor from the LLSS. The article by MacInnis et al. adds statistical weight to that suggestion.
Perhaps the organizers of the next Lake Louise Hypoxia symposium might consider a session on this topic.
