Objective:To analyze the results of detection and determinants of thyroid nodules among civil pilots, and to provide evidence for health management and aeromedical support.Methods:The results of health examination and flight data of 2 451 pilots at Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd. collected between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. These pilots were divided into a non-nodule group and a nodule group based on thyroid ultrasound findings. Gender,age, flying hours, body mass index, prevalence of hypertension, blood routine parameters, lipid profiles, liver and kidney function, fasting plasma glucose, and long-haul flight frequency were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for thyroid nodules.Results:Among the 2 397 civil pilots, 2 301 were in the non-nodule group and 96 in the nodule group, with a detection rate of 4.01%. Most of these nodules were solitary and small (<1 cm in diameter, 52.08%), and classified as Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 3 (likely benign, 53.13%). Detection rates of nodules were significantly higher among clivil pilots of older age or with longer flying hours ( χ2=25.17,36.86,both P<0.001). Overweight/obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and frequent long-haul flights were also associated with higher prevalence of thyroid nodules ( χ2=14.81, 6.17, 10.86, 11.57, 4.12, P<0.001,=0.013, 0.001, 0.001,0.042). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis pointed to the following independent risk factors: flying hours of 10 001-15 000 ( OR=4.005, 95% CI: 1.952-8.216) and over 15 000 ( OR=5.220, 95% CI: 2.415-11.285), overweight/obesity ( OR=1.646, 95% CI: 1.052-2.576) and hyperuricaemia ( OR=1.838, 95% CI: 1.204-2.804). Conclusions:The detection rate of thyroid nodules among civil pilots is relatively low. The occurrence is linked to advanced age, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and long-haul flight frequency, with cumulative flying hours, overweight/obesity and hyperuricemia as key risk factors. Aviation healthcare providers and medical examiners should provide targeted guidance and interventions related to modifiable risk factors to safeguard clivil pilots′ occupational health.

Objective:To analyze the results of detection and determinants of thyroid nodules among civil pilots, and to provide evidence for health management and aeromedical support.Methods:The results of health examination and flight data of 2 451 pilots at Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd. collected between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. These pilots were divided into a non-nodule group and a nodule group based on thyroid ultrasound findings. Gender,age, flying hours, body mass index, prevalence of hypertension, blood routine parameters, lipid profiles, liver and kidney function, fasting plasma glucose, and long-haul flight frequency were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for thyroid nodules.Results:Among the 2 397 civil pilots, 2 301 were in the non-nodule group and 96 in the nodule group, with a detection rate of 4.01%. Most of these nodules were solitary and small (<1 cm in diameter, 52.08%), and classified as Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 3 (likely benign, 53.13%). Detection rates of nodules were significantly higher among clivil pilots of older age or with longer flying hours ( χ2=25.17,36.86,both P<0.001). Overweight/obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and frequent long-haul flights were also associated with higher prevalence of thyroid nodules ( χ2=14.81, 6.17, 10.86, 11.57, 4.12, P<0.001,=0.013, 0.001, 0.001,0.042). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis pointed to the following independent risk factors: flying hours of 10 001-15 000 ( OR=4.005, 95% CI: 1.952-8.216) and over 15 000 ( OR=5.220, 95% CI: 2.415-11.285), overweight/obesity ( OR=1.646, 95% CI: 1.052-2.576) and hyperuricaemia ( OR=1.838, 95% CI: 1.204-2.804). Conclusions:The detection rate of thyroid nodules among civil pilots is relatively low. The occurrence is linked to advanced age, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and long-haul flight frequency, with cumulative flying hours, overweight/obesity and hyperuricemia as key risk factors. Aviation healthcare providers and medical examiners should provide targeted guidance and interventions related to modifiable risk factors to safeguard clivil pilots′ occupational health.