Urinary Findings after Mountain Climbing

It has been known for a long time that athletes may have hematuria and proteinuria after participating in various sports. In the early 1900's, Collier confirmed the presence of protein by testing the urine of a regatta racer after a race, and Barach confirmed blood casts and red blood cells in the urine of marathon runners. Since then, many reports have examined the hematuria ratio in a variety of sports, but to date none have examined mountain climbing. We studied the ratio and change in hematuria in 59 subjects (49 men and 10 women) during mountain climbing on Mt. Kitadake, 3192 m above sea level. The subjects' urine was tested using an occult blood test sheet before climbing, after reaching the summit and after descending the mountain. Hematuria was found in 16 subjects (27%) and proteinuria was found in 23 subjects (39%) . The mechanism of development of hematuria in sport is thought to be due to increased blood flow in the heart, vascular system and lungs, and muscles from accelerated metabolism. Eventually, a urinary flow disorder is caused by ureterial flexion, and extension and compression of renal pedicle blood vessels. We found that increased capillary permeability induced by hypoxia, and autonomic abnormalities caused by renal bloodstream disorders are in addition seen in mountaineering.