Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Short-Term Risk Estimate among Civilian Licensed Aircrew

Nathan B Buila,Symphorien M Ditu,Aliocha N Nkodila,Gilbert K Kabanda,Jean-René M’Buyamba-Kabangu,Pascal M Bayauli,Jean-Marc B Bantu,François B Lepira

doi:10.4236/wjcd.2019.92010

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Short-Term Risk Estimate among Civilian Licensed Aircrew

Nathan B Buila, Symphorien M Ditu + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/wjcd.2019.92010

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background: Flight and cabin crew are known to be at increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, ASCVD risks have not yet been compared in flight and cabin crew in low resource settings like sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To assess absolute ASCVD risk estimate and its clinical correlates among flight and cabin crew. Methods: From June 1st 2015 to December 30th 2015, 379 consecutive aviation navigants (Flight crew: 62.5%, pilots: 46.2%, women: 29.6%, Caucasians 23.2%) were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey of ASCVD risk estimate using the Framingham tools. They underwent a physical examination for either initial or renewal medical certificate Class 1 or 2 including blood chemistry, ECG, and echocardiogram as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-DRC) medical regulations. We modeled the risk of moderate and high ASCVD estimate in a stepwise logistic regression. Results: Low, moderate and high ASCVD risk estimates were observed respectively in 248 (65.4%), 64 (16.9%), and 67 (17.7%) navigants. Moderate and high ASCVD risk estimates predominated among flight than cabin crew (23.6% vs. 5.6%; p 0.0001 and 28.3% vs. null;p 0.001), low ASCVD risk estimate among cabin than flight crew (94.4% vs. 48.1%; p ≤ 0.001). Low ASCVD risk estimates.

Highlights

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (ASCVDs) are associated with an increased risk of disability and premature mortality especially in developing countries such as those of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [1]
The salient findings of this cross-sectional survey are as follows: Firstly, flight crew has higher ASCVD risk estimate compared with cabin crew; secondly, ASCVD risk estimate linearly increased with aircrew’ age; thirdly, Caucasians and flight crew status, and proteinuria are independent predictors of moderate ASCVD risk estimate; and total flight time ≥ 5000 hours, overweight/obesity, faster resting heart rate, LV hypertrophy (LVH), and high serum uric acid are independent predictors of high ASCVD risk estimate
The most important findings in the current study were the huge variances in ASCVD risk estimate between flight and cabin crew

Summary

Introduction

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (ASCVDs) are associated with an increased risk of disability and premature mortality especially in developing countries such as those of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [1]. Due to less physical activity associated with their professional life, the aircrew could be considered as a group at high ASCVD risk. Methods: From June 1st 2015 to December 30th 2015, 379 consecutive aviation navigants (Flight crew: 62.5%, pilots: 46.2%, women: 29.6%, Caucasians 23.2%) were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey of ASCVD risk estimate using the Framingham tools. They underwent a physical examination for either initial or renewal medical certificate Class 1 or 2 including blood chemistry, ECG, and echocardiogram as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-DRC) medical regulations.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion