Reduced health-related quality of life in former North Sea divers is associated with decompression sickness.
BACKGROUND
Diving is associated with long-term effects on several organ systems.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate the impact of decompression sickness (DCS) and diving exposure on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in former Norwegian North Sea divers.


METHODS
HRQL was recorded by a questionnaire in the cohort of 375 Norwegian North Sea divers registered before 1990. Demographic data, relevant health data and data on diving education, history of DCS and SF-36 were recorded in 230 divers.


RESULTS
All SF-36 sub-scores were significantly reduced compared with Norwegian norms. Reduced scores were seen for all scales among divers who reported previous DCS compared to those without DCS. A decreasing trend in scores was seen when comparing no DCS, skin or joint DCS and neurological DCS. There was a decreasing trend in scores related to number of days in saturation and maximal depth. Stratification on DCS showed that the impact of saturation diving was present only in divers with DCS.


CONCLUSIONS
HRQL was reduced in this study sample of divers. Having had DCS during the diving career contributed significantly to the reduction in all SF-36 scales, and apparently neurological DCS has the most pronounced impact. Cumulative diving exposure including days in saturation and maximal depth contributed to a reduced HRQL.
Irgens
Agot
A
Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen 5021, Norway. aagot.irgens@helse-bergen.no
Grønning
Marit
M
Troland
Kari
K
Sundal
Endre
E
Nyland
Harald
H
Thorsen
Einar
E
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires