Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Short-Term Risk Estimate among Civilian Licensed Aircrew

Abstract

Background: Flight and cabin crew are known to be at increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, ASCVD risks have not yet been compared in flight and cabin crew in low resource settings like sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To assess absolute ASCVD risk estimate and its clinical correlates among flight and cabin crew. Methods: From June 1st 2015 to December 30th 2015, 379 consecutive aviation navigants (Flight crew: 62.5%, pilots: 46.2%, women: 29.6%, Caucasians 23.2%) were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey of ASCVD risk estimate using the Framingham tools. They underwent a physical examination for either initial or renewal medical certificate Class 1 or 2 including blood chemistry, ECG, and echocardiogram as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-DRC) medical regulations. We modeled the risk of moderate and high ASCVD estimate in a stepwise logistic regression. Results: Low, moderate and high ASCVD risk estimates were observed respectively in 248 (65.4%), 64 (16.9%), and 67 (17.7%) navigants. Moderate and high ASCVD risk estimates predominated among flight than cabin crew (23.6% vs. 5.6%; p 0.0001 and 28.3% vs. null;p 0.001), low ASCVD risk estimate among cabin than flight crew (94.4% vs. 48.1%; p ≤ 0.001). Low ASCVD risk estimates.