Results of vestibular function tests and aeromedical assessment of pilots in different periods:a comparative analysis

LIU Xunyuan; XU Xianrong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.04.005

Abstract：Objective To compare the results of vestibular function tests conducted on pilots before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the possible causes of vestibular dysfunction in order to provide data for aeromedical assessment.Methods The medical records of 60 pilots who underwent vestibular function tests at the Air Force Medical Center between 2016 and 2023 were reviewed.The data of pilots diagnosed with unilateral vestibular dysfunction for the first time was selected.January 1,2020 was taken as the day the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.Among the 60 cases,51 were diagnosed after this date and assigned to the study group,and 9 were diagnosed before this date and served as the control group.Clinical features of these cases were statistically analyzed.Results The proportion of the study group in all pilots tested during the same period was significantly higher than that of the control group(χ2=4.284,P=0.038).In the study group,47 had no vestibular-related symptoms,but 4 did.In the control group,3 had no vestibular-related symptoms,but6did.The proportion of cases without vestibular-related symptoms was significantly higherin the study group(χ2=15.059,P＜0.001).There was no statisticallysignificant difference between the two groups in the distribution of the abnormal tests.When diagnosed for the first time,41(80%)were assessed as qualified for flight and 6(12%)were temporarily grounded in the study group,compared with 3(33%)and 5(56%)in the control group.The qualified rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group(χ2=6.424,P=0.011),while the proportion of temporarily grounded pilotsin the study group was significantly lower(χ2=7.092,P=0.008).Conclusion The increase of asymptomatic cases of unilateral vestibular dysfunction in pilots may be related to infections with low-virulent strain of SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination.The damage to vestibular function is mild,and detailed classification and aeromedical assessment can be carried out according to vestibular receptor diseases(VRDs).