| Document ID (ISN) | 109197 |
| CIS number |
09-202 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0095-6562 - Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine |
| Year |
2008 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Rosenkvist L., Klokker M., Katholm M. |
| Title |
Upper respiratory infections and barotraumas in commercial pilots: A retrospective survey |
| Bibliographic information |
Oct. 2008, Vol.79, No.10, p.960-963. 18 ref. |
| Abstract |
The 948 commercial pilots having visited the Danish Aero Medical Centre during a six-month period were given a questionnaire on symptoms of upper respiratory infections (URI) and barotrauma incidence in relation to flying with a common cold. Every pilot declared having experienced one to two URIs per year. 57.2% reported themselves unfit, while 42.8% continued with their flying duties despite their symptoms. Of the latter group, 78.0% reported taking decongestant medication. More than one-third of the pilots (37.6%) reported having experienced one or more episodes of ear barotrauma, mainly during descent, whereas 19.5% reported one or more sinus barotrauma incidents during their flying career. The findings show that not all pilots and airline companies consider URI a valid reason for unfitness to fly despite the risk for acute incapacitation. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
rhinitis; Denmark; barotrauma; air transport; work aptitude; aircraft; upper respiratory diseases |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
subjective assessment; sickness absenteeism; frequency rates; physical fitness; questionnaire survey; state of health |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Denmark |
| Subject(s) |
Transport and communications
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Biological hazards
Physical hazards
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar)
Air transportation
Hyperbaric pressure
|
