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. In Tibet at least, it is more common in immigrant Han Chinese than in native Tibetans. It is characterized by excessive erythrocytosis with hematocrit values greater than 80%, hypoxemia and in some cases pulmonary hypertension. The condition improves after descent to low altitude.
