Prolonged flight exposure and its effects on sinonasal health among aircrew members

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of prolonged air travel on sinonasal symptoms among aircrew members.

Methods: This study was carried out among airline aircrew members over 4 months, between May 2023 and August 2023. The collected data encompassed demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, and a history of sinus, nasal, or ear surgery. A validated sino-nasal outcome test-22 data collection sheet to measure the presence of sinonasal symptoms was carried out.

Results: Of the 184 aircrew members, 81% were male and 34.8% were aged 20-30 years. Sinonasal symptoms after the flights were reported by 68.5% of participants. Symptom prevalence varied significantly based on factors such as being a flight attendant, experiencing symptoms during flights, symptoms affecting job performance, altering trips due to recurring symptoms, long flight durations, use of medications, and a history of sinus, nasal, or ear surgery. Multivariate regression analysis identified post-flight or in-flight nasal, sinus, or ear problems, symptoms affecting job performance, and previous sinus, nasal, or ear surgery as significant independent predictors of sinonasal symptoms.

Conclusion: Over two-thirds of airline crew members may experience sinonasal symptoms after prolonged air travel. Flight attendants with a history of nasal, or ear surgery and those with longer flight durations were more likely to experience sinonasal symptoms. Larger observational studies are required to further clarify the prevalence and contributing factors of sinonasal symptoms among aircrew members.

Keywords: SNOT-22; aircrew; flight exposure; sinonasal symptoms.

Figure 1

- The most important symptoms affecting health.