Altitude Sickness in Climbers and Efficacy of NSAIDs Trial (ASCENT): Randomized, Controlled Trial of Ibuprofen Versus Placebo for Prevention of Altitude Illness

Abstract

Ibuprofen was found to be effective in preventing AMS in the intent-to-treat analysis group but not in those who completed the trial. This loss of significance in the subjects who completed the trial may be explained by persons in the placebo group having a higher burden of illness and associated decreased compliance with the protocol. An important limitation of this study may be the possibility that ibuprofen can mask headache, which is a compulsory criterion for the diagnosis of AMS.