Lake Louise Questionnaire for the Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness

Original Editor - Kapil Narale

Top Contributors - Kapil Narale and Kim Jackson  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Acute Mountain Sickness[edit | edit source]

Mountain with landscape.jpeg

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the most common acute altitude illness that can occur in unacclimatised individuals at altitudes >2500m. Risk factors include, rate of ascent, altitude of ascent, and individual physical characteristics. [1] However, even if someone has AMS, or mild AMS, it does not mean that they must descend immediately. [2]

AMS must not be interchanged with high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). It is not a neurological condition, and is known to be self-limited. AMS effects may become apparent within 6 hours of ascent. Contrarily, HACE may occur between 24-72 hours after ascent, has characteristics of an altered mental state and/or ataxia. It usually occurs in conjunction with AMS or high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), and would be characterised as a medical emergency. [1]

Introduction to the Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness scale[edit | edit source]

The Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) scale was created to assess adults of AMS. [2] It was first developed in 1991. It is a very useful scale to help diagnose and score the severity of AMS. [1]

The symptoms measured on the initial test included, [1]

*the double words are for general feelings and descriptions

These are rated with an intensity level of 0-3. A total score that is ≥3, including a headache, is indicative of AMS. [1]

Of the five symptoms assessed for AMS, disturbed sleep is the most likely symptom to occur due to altitude hypoxia. However, this symptom was seen to be poorly related to the other symptoms, and AMS. It was questioned if sleep disturbance was a symptom of AMS or an effect of hypoxia. Considering this fact, a revised scoring system does not include 'disturbed sleep' as a symptom. Comparing daytime vs. night time effects of altitude was also a factor. [1]

About the Test[edit | edit source]

Since the 'sleep disturbance' symptom was removed, a scoring of ≥3 from the four remaining symptoms, including a headache, is indicative of AMS. [1]

If someone wanted a more detailed scoring system, they could categorise intensity values as: [1]

  • 3-5 points as Mild
  • 6-9 points as Moderate
  • 10-12 points as Severe

Despite the symptoms being able to develop within 6 hours of ascent to altitude, it is recommended that the score be assessed subsequent to 6 hours, to bypass any symptoms of travel or effects of acute hypoxia via vagal responses. [1]

Characteristics of the Test[edit | edit source]

The AMS Clinical Functional Score can be used if someone wanted to assess the effect of AMS symptoms on overall health, function, and performance. [1]

The scoring system is presented as follows: [1]

2018 Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score

Headache

  • 0 - None at all
  • 1 - A mild headache
  • 2 - Moderate headache
  • 3 - Severe headache, incapacitating

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

  • 0 - Good appetite
  • 1 - Poor appetite or nausea
  • 2 - Moderate nausea or vomiting
  • 3 - Severe nausea and vomiting, incapacitating

Fatigue/weakness

  • 0 - Not tired or weak
  • 1 - Mild fatigue/weakness
  • 2 - Moderate fatigue/weakness
  • 3 - Severe fatigue/weakness, incapacitating

Dizziness/light-headedness

  • 0 - No dizziness/light-headedness
  • 1 - Mild dizziness/light-headedness
  • 2 - Moderate dizziness/light-headedness
  • 3 - Severe dizziness/light-headedness

AMS Clinical Functional Score - Overall, if you had AMS symptoms, how did they affect your activities?

  • 0 - Not at all
  • 1 - Symptoms present, but did not force any change in activity or itinerary
  • 2 - My symptoms forced me to stop the ascent or to go down on my own power
  • 3 - Had to be evacuated to a lower altitude

A Conflict - a measurement for all ages?[edit | edit source]

It appears that the language used in the Lake Louise AMS scoring system may underestimate symptoms for children from 4-11 years of age, due to the complexity of the terminology used. This may be due to individual language, behavioural, and cognitive development at their given age. Young children were seen to report symptoms without any altitude gain, therefore the wording of the scale needed to be revised.[3]

AMS can also occur in children, those children from families who go on mountain hiking and trekking trips. It is seen that this scale is not suitable for use by children, but it is suitable for teenagers to understand and categorise their physical and physiological feelings. [3]

It is seen that children can develop AMS at a comparable rate to adults when ascending to similar altitudes, over the same durations. [3]

When assessing children on the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS), there was an age-adjusted scoring system used. Descriptions such as "severe nausea and vomiting, incapacitating" were modified with "really upset stomach and throwing up a lot". The word "hurt" was used to describe "pain", and the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale was used to describe the severity of headaches. The FACES scale can be seen on pg. 3 (126) in the Southard et al, reference. [3]

When the results of the age-adjusted assessment were compared to that of the LLSS, the age-adjusted assessment produced results that were higher, more severe, than that of the LLSS. The FACES scale was effective in assessing feelings of headache. [3]

It is seen that younger children are more satisfied with the FACES scale, and simplified wording due to lack of understanding, whereas older children may select more specific descriptions and moderate values for the pain scale. [3]

For this reason, it is shown that when the language is simplified, more honest, valid, and reliable symptom descriptions are reported. The simplification in language does help this age group. [3]

How to Conduct the Test[edit | edit source]

According to Roach et al, 2018, this test is only to be conducted by investigators, and not Clinicians, Professional Outdoor Guides, and general individuals, for the diagnosis and management of AMS. [1] However, it is safe for the general public to use on their own mountain climbing trips. When on tour on the mountain, guides will conduct an assessment twice a day, which includes the LLSS, pulse oximetry, and other criteria, to check for health and fitness of the climbers on the mountain. [2]

The Lake Louise AMS score can be administered as: [1]

  • A self-reporting tool
  • Completed by guide/researcher asking about the symptoms
  • Individual filling in the score, and guide/researcher reading it back to the individual


Diagnosis of AMS encompasses the following conditions: [2]

  • Ascent in altitude within the previous 4 days
  • Presence of a headache
  • Presence of atleast one other symptom, of the 4 symptoms listed above (or directly below)
  • A score of ≥3 from the entire test

What the Results Mean[edit | edit source]

The total AMS score would be the sum of scores for each of the four symptoms, listed below: [1]

  • Headache
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness/Light-Headedness

To be categorized as having AMS, one would need to have atleast 1 point for a headache, and ≥3 points in total.

*A severe headache of 3 point, with no other AMS symptoms, would also be categorized as AMS. [1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Roach Robert C, Hackett Peter H, Olez Oswald, Bartsch Peter, Luks Andrew M, MacInnis Martin J, Baillie J Kenneth, The Lake Louise AMS Score Consensus Committee. Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2018:19(1):4-6.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ultimate Kilimanjaro - the #1 Guide Service on Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake Louise Questionnaire - Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS) for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Available from: https://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/lake-louise-ams-questionnaire/ (accessed 8 June 2022).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Southard Andrew, Niermeyer Susan, Yaron Michael. Language Used in Lake Louise Scoring System Underestimates Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness in 4- to 11-Year-Old Children. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2007:8(2):124-130.