Aviation medical evaluation and clinical analysis of ifve cases of gout among pilots

LIU Jing; LIU Hongjin; XIONG Wei; CUI Li; FU Zhaojun; ZHENG Jun

Abstract：ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical diagnosis of and evaluation principles of aviation medicine about goutin aircrew.MethodsThe diagnosis and medical assessment of gout in 5 pilots admitted to our hospital between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Suggestions regarding medical assessment of gout in aircrew were raised by summarizing the clinical data and reviewing its related literature.ResultsThree pilots were hospitalized for recurrent gout attacks, two of whom were grounded permanently and one temporarily. Two pilots had a history of gout attacks, one of whom was diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and returned to flight half a year after percutaneous coronary intervention, but was grounded temporarily 2 years later because of the progression of CAD. The other one had a better control of his elevated blood pressure and was permitted to return to flight.ConclusionEligibility for flight should be determined according to the frequency and severity of gout, deformation of joints, kidney involvement, cardiovascular disease, types of drugs, therapeutic effect, adverse drug reactions, flight missions, and the will of individual pilots. Pilots who are specially permitted to fly should control their serum uric acid.