The Effect of Total Flight Hours and Other Factors on Diastolic Blood Pressure Among Fixed-wing Civilian Pilots in Indonesia

Background: Total flight hour may affect the cardiovascular system including diastolic blood pressure(DBP) in pilot. This study aimed to identify whether total flight hours and other factors increase the risk ofhigh DBP of the fixed wing civilian pilots in Indonesia.Methods: A cross sectional study with purposive sampling was conducted in civilian pilots at AviationMedical Center in Jakarta in May 1-13, 2013. Demographic characteristics, employment, habit was obtainedthrough interviews. While laboratory data was obtained from laboratory tests. Sphygmomanometer wasused to measure DBP. Category of DBP was classified into high (≥80 mmHg) and normal (<80 mmHg).Analysis used risk relative by Cox regression with constant tim e.Results: Among the 512 pilots who conducted medical examinations, 236 subjects agreed to join the study.This analysis included 225 subjects which 61.4% had high DBP and 38.6% normal DBP. The subjects withtotal flight hours of 4000-29831 compared to 4-3999, had 34% increased risk to be high DBP [adjustedrelative risk (RRa) = 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.03-1.73]. The subjects with resting pulse rateof 80-98/minute compared to 60-79/minute, had 29% increased risk to be high DBP (RRa = 1.29; 95% CI= 1.02-1.63). Furthermore, subjects aged 50-61years compared to 18-39 years, had 26% increased risk tobe high DBP (RRa = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.00-1.59; P = 0.048).Conclusion: High total flight hours, resting pulse rate, and older age may increase the risk of high diastolic bloodpressure among the fixed wing civilian pilots in Indonesia. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2015;6:1-6