Disease analysis of the annual physical examination of civil air traffic controllers

Abstract

Objective To understand the health status of the civil aviation air traffic controllers in southwest China, so as to provide scientific basis for ensuring the health of air traffic controllers and flight safety. Methods The year 2016 physical examination data of 1 066 air traffic controllers in southwest China were retrospectively analyzed to count the top 10 diseases. The examination data were also compared with that of the active first-grade pilot of an airline company examined in the same year and with that of the air traffic controllers in southwest China examined in 2014. One thousand and sixty-six air traffic controllers were grouped into ≤29, 30-39, ≥40 years old groups. The main diseases detection rates were also compared among different age groups. Results ①The top 10 diseases affecting the health of the air traffic controllers were ametropia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hearing loss, poor eyesight, fatty liver, overweight, elevation of single alanine transaminase, gallbladder polyps, and white coat high blood pressure. ②Ametropia was the disease influenced most to the health of air traffic controllers. Its prevalence increased from 47.8% in 2014 to 50.5% in 2016, and it was significantly higher than that of pilots group (χ2=107.44, P<0.01). ③Hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia had become the main internal medicine diseases affecting the health of air traffic controllers. The incidence of hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia was 37.3% and 30.6% respectively. ④The detection rate of gallbladder polyps in 2016 was significantly higher than that in 2014 (χ2=4.05, P<0.05). ⑤The incidence of ametropia, hyperlipidemia, hearing loss, poor eyesight, overweight, white coat high blood pressure, fatty liver and gallbladder polyps were statistically different among different age groups (χ2=6.16-169.80, P<0.05). Conclusions The decrease of vision and metabolic diseases are the main diseases that affect the health of air traffic controllers. The suggestions on improving the flight surgeon system, strengthening the health education, enhancing self-awareness of health care and promoting the health level of air traffic controllers are insisted. Key words: Physical examination; Health status; Air traffic controller