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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ginkgo biloba, acetazolamide, and their combination as prophylaxis against acute mountain sickness. Design: Prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Setting: Approach to Mount Everest base camp in the Nepal Himalayas at 4280 m or 4358 m and study end point at 4928 m during October and November 2002. Participants 614 healthy western trekkers (487 completed the trial) assigned to receive ginkgo, acetazolamide, combined acetazolamide and ginkgo, or placebo, initially taking at least three or four doses before continued ascent. Main outcome measures: Incidence measured by Lake Louise acute mountain sickness score ≥3 with headache and one other symptom. Secondary outcome measures included blood oxygen content, severity of syndrome (Lake Louise scores ≥5), incidence of headache, and severity of headache. Results: Ginkgo was not significantly different from placebo for any outcome; however participants in the acetazolamide group showed significant levels of protection. The incidence of acute mountain sickness was 34%for placebo, 12%for acetazolamide (odds ratio 3.76,95%confidence interval 1.91 to 7.39, number needed to treat 4), 35% for ginkgo (0.95,0.56 to 1.62), and 14%for combined ginkgo and acetazolamide (3.04,1.62 to 5.69). The proportion of patients with increased severity of acute mountain sickness was 18%for placebo, 3%for acetazolamide (6.46,2.15 to 19.40, number needed to treat 7), 18% for ginkgo (1,0.52 to 1.90), and 7%for combined ginkgo and acetazolamide (2.95,1.30 to 6.70). Conclusions: When compared with placebo, ginkgo is not effective at preventing acute mountain sickness. Acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily afforded robust protection against symptoms of acute mountain sickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about general medical knowledge in South Asia, with an example of Harrison's "Principles of Internal Medicine,' not having an entry for altitude sickness.

Discusses health risks facing pilgrims visiting religious sites in the Himalayas. Risk of mountain sickness, pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema; Belief of the pilgrims that their symptoms are caused by the scent of flowers; Use of steroids to treat the pilgrims; Suggestion that pilgrimage medicine needs to be incorporated into the broader framework of travel medicine.