Prevalence of Disease Spectrum and Sick Leave Time Associated with Illness in Helicopter Pilots

This study examines the disease spectrum in helicopter pilots in China in order to provide a scientific basis for disease control and prevention. A random sample of annual aeromedical examination records and inpatient records for 516 helicopter pilots were used in the study. The prevalence and sick leave time associated with each disease were analyzed. The authors used Spearman rank correlation analysis to explore the relationship between prevalence and sick leave duration. The results indicated that the organ systems with the highest prevalence of disease were the digestive system (32.36%), cardiovascular system (18.60%), and musculoskeletal system (12.40%). The organ systems associated with the longest sick leave periods were the digestive system (574 d), musculoskeletal system (532 d), and nervous system (323 d). There were no significant correlations between prevalence and sick leave times of diseases in any system. Fatty liver (9.88%), hyperlipidemia (6.98%), and polypoid lesion of the gallbladder (3.49%) were the most prevalent disease. Ground syncope (157 d), chronic gastritis (145 d), and lumbar disc herniation (91 d) were the diseases with the longest sick leave periods. Although aero-related diseases such as ground syncope were not common, they were associated with long absences when they did occur and therefore represent a potential threat to pilot health and performance.