Sinus Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 857-863
Author(s):  
Oskari H. Lindfors ◽  
Kimmo S. Ketola ◽  
Tuomas K. Klockars ◽  
Tuomo K. Leino ◽  
Saku T. Sinkkonen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Commercial Aviation ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Sinus barotraumas are a common condition in aviation medicine, sometimes compromising flight safety and even permanently grounding aircrew. Considering this and the ever-increasing amount of commercial aviation, a thorough examination is required.METHODS: In this survey study, an anonymous, electronic questionnaire was distributed to commercial aircrew of the three major commercial airlines operating in Finland (N 3799), covering 93% of the target population (i.e., all commercial aircrew operating in Finland, N 4083). Primary outcomes were self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, and health and occupational effects of sinus barotraumas in flight. Secondary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (OR) for frequency of sinus barotraumas with respect to possible risk factors.RESULTS: Response rate was 47% (N 1789/3799), with 61% (N 1088) of the respondents having experienced sinus barotraumas in flight. Of those affected, 59% had used medications, 18% had undergone surgical procedures, and 53% had been on sick leave due to sinus barotraumas (38% during the last year) in flight. Factors associated with sinus barotraumas were female sex [OR, 2.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.354.50] and a high number of upper respiratory tract infections (3 vs. <3 URTIs/yr: OR, 3.61; 95% CI 2.654.93).CONCLUSION: Sinus barotraumas were reported by 61 of commercial aircrew. They caused an increased need for medications, otorhinolaryngology-related surgical procedures, and sickness absence from flight duty. The possible risk factors were female sex and a high number of URTIs/yr.Lindfors OH, Ketola KS, Klockars TK, Leino TK, Sinkkonen ST. Sinus barotraumas in commercial aircrew. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(11):857-863.

Middle Ear Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Oskari H. Lindfors ◽  
Kimmo S. Ketola ◽  
Tuomas K. Klockars ◽  
Tuomo K. Leino ◽  
Saku T. Sinkkonen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Commercial Aviation ◽  
Pressure Equalization ◽  
Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Middle ear (ME) barotraumas are the most common condition in aviation medicine, sometimes seriously compromising flight safety. Considering this and the ever-increasing amount of commercial aviation, a detailed overview is warranted.METHODS: In this survey study, an anonymous, electronic questionnaire was distributed to commercial aircrew of the three major commercial airlines operating in Finland (N 3799), covering 93% of the target population (i.e., all commercial aircrew operating in Finland, N 4083). Primary outcomes were self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, and health and occupational effects of ME barotraumas in flight. Secondary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (OR) for frequency of ME barotraumas with respect to possible risk factors.RESULTS: Response rate was 47% (N 1789/3799), with 85% (N 1516) having experienced ME barotraumas in flight. Of those affected, 60% had used medications, 5% had undergone surgical procedures, and 48% had been on sick leave due to ME barotraumas (40% during the last year). Factors associated with ME barotraumas included a high number of upper respiratory tract infections [3 URTIs/yr vs. 0 URTIs/yr: OR, 9.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9920.39] and poor subjective performance in Valsalva (occasionally vs. always successful: OR, 7.84; 95% CI 3.9715.51) and Toynbee (occasionally vs. always successful: OR, 9.06; 95% CI 2.6730.78) maneuvers.CONCLUSION: ME barotraumas were reported by 85% of commercial aircrew. They lead to an increased need for medications, otorhinolaryngology-related surgical procedures, and sickness absence from flight duty. Possible risk factors include a high number of URTIs and poor performance in pressure equalization maneuvers.Lindfors OH, Ketola KS, Klockars TK, Leino TK, Sinkkonen ST. Middle ear barotraumas in commercial aircrew. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):182189.

Sinus barotrauma in diving

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Oskari H Lindfors ◽  
◽  
Anne K Räisänen-Sokolowski ◽  
Jari Suvilehto ◽  
Saku T Sinkkonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Diving Medicine ◽  
Sinus Barotrauma ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Introduction: Sinus barotrauma is a common occurrence in diving and subaquatic medicine, potentially compromising dive safety. To gain a more thorough understanding of the condition, an in-depth investigation is justified. Methods: This was a survey study. An anonymous, electronic questionnaire was distributed to 7,060 recipients: professional divers of the Finnish Border Guard, the Finnish Rescue Services, and the Finnish Heritage agency, as well as recreational divers registered as members of the Finnish Divers’ Association reachable by email (roughly two-thirds of all members and recreational divers in Finland). Primary outcomes were self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, and health effects of sinus barotrauma while diving. Secondary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (OR) for frequency of sinus barotrauma with respect to possible risk factors. Results: In total, 1,881 respondents participated in the study (response rate 27%). A total of 49% of the respondents had experienced sinus barotrauma while diving and of those affected, 32% had used medications to alleviate their symptoms. The factors associated with sinus barotrauma were pollen allergies (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.10–2.29), regular smoking (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.07–3.91) and a high number of upper respiratory tract infections per year (≥ 3 vs. < 3 infections per year: OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.79–4.24). Conclusions: Sinus barotrauma is the second most common condition encountered in diving medicine, having affected 49% of the respondents. Possible risk factors include allergies to pollen, regular smoking, and a high number of URTIs per year.

Nasopharyngeal vs. adenoid cultures in children undergoing adenoidectomy: prevalence of bacterial pathogens, their interactions and risk factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. KORONA-GLOWNIAK ◽  
A. NIEDZIELSKI ◽  
U. KOSIKOWSKA ◽  
A. GRZEGORCZYK ◽  
A. MALM
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

SUMMARYStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the adenoids and nasopharynx in 103 preschool children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections was examined. Bacterial interactions and risk factors for bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx and adenoids, separately, were analysed statistically. The prevalence of simultaneous isolation from both anatomical sites was 45·6% for S. pneumoniae, 29·1% for H. influenzae, 15·5% for M. catarrhalis and 18·4% for S. aureus. Three pathogens were significantly more frequent together from adenoid samples; nasopharyngeal swabs more often yielded a single organism, but without statistical significance. M. catarrhalis and S. aureus significantly more frequently co-existed with S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae than with each other and a positive association of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in adenoid samples was evident. Several differences between risk factors for nasopharyngeal and adenoid colonization by the individual pathogens were observed. We conclude that the adenoids and nasopharynx appear to differ substantially in colonization by pathogenic microbes but occurrence of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx could be predictive of upper respiratory tract infections.

scholarly journals Risk Factors of Antibiotic Misuse for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Results from a Cross-Sectional Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Study in Greece

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sotiria G. Panagakou ◽  
Vassiliki Papaevangelou ◽  
Adamos Chadjipanayis ◽  
George A. Syrogiannopoulos ◽  
Maria Theodoridou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Tract Infections

Background. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. The cause of URTIs is usually viral, but parents’ attitudes often contribute to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, promoting antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to identify possible risk factors associated with antibiotic misuse in Greece, a country with high levels of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Methods. A knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) questionnaire was developed and distributed to Greek parents caring for children who were 5-6 years old, between January and July of the same school year. Results. The sample of the study contained 5312 parents from all geographic areas of Greece. The risk factors of being a father, having low education, having immigrant status, being a single parent, having low income, having <2 or >3 children, living in the islands, and being without experience in recurrent URTIs were significantly associated to inadequate knowledge, inappropriate attitudes, and wrong practices. Conclusions. This study has identified the main groups of parents that should be targeted in future intervention programs.

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