Diagnosis, treatment and aeromedical assessment of bronchial asthma in military pilots
10.3760/cma.j.cn113854-20241028-00160
- VernacularTitle:军事飞行员支气管哮喘诊治及航空医学鉴定
- Author:
Hong FAN
1
;
Lela LIN
1
;
Xiaoyan ZHANG
1
;
Fengquan BAI
1
;
Dongjiang SUI
1
;
Yan HUANG
1
Author Information
1. 空军军医大学空军特色医学中心呼吸与危重症医学科，北京 100142
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Asthma;
Physical examination;
Eligibility determination;
Pilots
- From:
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine
2025;36(3):194-199
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and aeromedical assessment conclusions of bronchial asthma in military pilots.Methods:The clinical data of 24 military pilots was retrospectively analyzed who were diagnosed with bronchial asthma and hospitalized at the Air Force Medical Center between January 2010 and March 2024. These pilots were divided into a qualified group and a grounded group based on aeromedical assessment conclusions. The basic information, clinical data, diagnosis and treatment, and aeromedical assessment conclusions were compared between the 2 groups.Results:There were 11 military pilots in the qualified group and 13 in the grounded group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of age at initial asthma diagnosis, body mass index, flying hours, aircraft types, smoking status, or family history of bronchial asthma (all P>0.05). The time intervals between the symptom onset, initial diagnosis and treatment and ground observation were shorter in the qualified group than in the grounded group, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-1.77, -2.73, P=0.047, 0.006). No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of cough variant asthma, concurrent allergic rhinitis, eosinophil count and percentage, and abnormal pulmonary function (all P>0.05). The proportion of military pilots with identified allergens was significantly higher in the grounded group than in the qualified group ( P=0.005). In the qualified group, one fighter pilot was aeromedically assessed as being restricted to dual-seat fighter aircraft. After 3 months of ground observation without disease recurrence, the dual-seat restriction was lifted. The other 2 fighter pilots were qualified for downgraded aircraft types (from fighters to bombers, transporters, or helicopters). Eight non-fighter pilots were aeromedically concluded as eligible for flight. After [43.0(15.8, 66.3)] months of treatment and ground observation, the 13 military pilots in the grounded group were found to be under poor symptom control with recurrent episodes before being grounded. Conclusions:Bronchial asthma in military pilots is closely related to allergic rhinitis, with early clinical symptoms often being atypical and prone to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Patients with bronchial asthma should receive individualized treatment based on their condition. Both the US military and the Chinese military stipulate that pilots with bronchial asthma be ineligible for flight. However, for cases with mild illness, no sudden acute severe attacks, symptom resolution after treatment, normal pulmonary function, and in stable condition after 3-6 months of ground observation, an aeromedical assessment can be conducted based on the aircraft types and flight duties.
