title: Application of a cardiovascular disease risk prediction model among commercial pilots.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that integrated cardiovascular risk management guidelines and absolute cardiovascular risk prediction scores should be used routinely in aeromedical risk assessment. In this study a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction model has been applied to UK commercial pilots as an occupational group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cross-sectional study measured the variables age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medication, current smoking, and diabetes status of commercial pilots. Individual 10-yr absolute CVD risk scores (also referred to as 10-yr global CVD risk) were calculated using a non-laboratory based Framingham Heart Study developed model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 14,379 subjects eligible for the study, none had missing values for risk factors. None of the female pilots and 9.7% of all male pilots were found to be high risk. The mean 10-yr absolute CVD risk for the entire pilot population was 8.41% (median 5.6). High-risk pilots are concentrated around 60 yr of age, (mean 59, median 60 yr) with an age range of 40-81 yr. A sub-analysis of high-risk pilots younger than 65 revealed 1137 pilots in this group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of a 10-yr absolute CVD risk prediction model identified a group of pilots, previously unidentified, who may require a more comprehensive risk assessment. Pilots are continuing to fly commercially beyond the age of 60, which results in substantial increase in the CVD risk burden of the pilot population as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, London, UK. stephen.houston@flybmi.com
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houston
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003132:Commerce; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents