Smartwatch measurement of blood oxygen saturation for predicting acute mountain sickness: Diagnostic accuracy and reliability

Abstract

Objective This study aims to assess the accuracy and stability of smartwatches in predicting acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods In locations exceeding an altitude of 2500 m, a cohort of 42 subjects had their Lake Louise AMS self-assessment score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), heart rate, and perfusion index measured using smartwatches, with the data seamlessly conveyed to the Huawei Cloud. Results A significant decrease in SpO 2 was observed in individuals positive for AMS compared to those negative ( p < 0.05), with the mild AMS group exhibiting significantly lower SpO 2 levels than the non-AMS group ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, SpO 2 emerged as a significant, independent predictor of AMS [ β =−0.086, p < 0.01, OR (95% CI) = 0.92 (0.87–0.97)], indicating that each unit increase in SpO 2 decreases the probability of AMS occurrence by 8.6%. Conclusion The Huawei smartwatches have demonstrated efficacy in diagnosing and foretelling AMS at elevations exceeding 4000 m, showcasing significant reliability and high precision in SpO 2 measurement .