Clinical characteristics and medical evaluation of 66 pilots hepatitis virus infection

LI Xiao-juan; ZHOU Ping; SUN Ying; SI Hui-yuan; ZHU Fei-yun; WANG Chun-wei; HAN Shou-lei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-2811.2013.01.005

Abstract： Objective It was to investigate the pilot hepatitis viral infection and its clinic characteristics and the impacts on flying. We intended to provide evidence for and solution to pilot viral hepatitis prevention and treatment and medical evaluation. Methods The clinical data of 66 pilots who suffered from viral hepatitis and was hospitalized in our hospital from January 1993 to December 2012 was analyzed. Results During the past 20 years, 66 pilots suffering from viral hepatitis accounted for 0.58% of total pilot patients in hospital. As for the recent 5 years, the ratio declined to 0.26% and was significantly lower than that of 0.83% 15 years previously (P<0.001). In the same period the ratio was 61.11% of infectious disease, and in the recent 5 years was 72.22%. Still it was the main type of infectious diseases during the past 15 years with 58.89% (P>0.005). Clinical types of infections included hepatitis A virus infection with 3 cases (4.62%), 56 cases of hepatitis B (84.85%), 4 cases of hepatitis C (6.15%) and 3 cases of hepatitis E (4.62%), the most of which was hepatitis B virus infection. The clinical manifestations of the vast majority showed mild symptoms, and many cases felt weak (34.85%), or had no appetite (18.18%) or abnormal liver function. ALT increased in 26 patients with 39.39%; AST increased in 22 cases with 33.33%. Among the 66 pilots who were infected with hepatitits virus, 52 were evaluated unqualified for flying. The rate of suspension of flying was 78.79%. 51 cases suffered from hepatitis B virus infection, 1 cases of hepatitis C virus infection. Conclusions The number and ratio of pilots suffering from hepatitis viral infection among in-hospital pilots were declining year by year, but majority of them were sick with infectious disease. The spectrum of infectious diseases concentrated on virul hepatitits B. Viral hepatitis was the most common infectious disease in pilot disease, which was the major cause to suspension of flying.