ABSTRACT
Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) was first recognized by Carlos Monge M in Peru and is also known as Monge’s disease. It is found in all populations who remain at altitude for a number of years. The incidence is increased with altitude and with age; it is higher in males than females and is more prevalent in South America than in Asia or Africa. In Tibet, it is more common in immigrant Han Chinese than in native Tibetans. It is characterized by excessive erythrocytosis with hematocrit values greater than 75%, hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. The condition improves after descent to low altitude.
