Degenerative changes of spine in helicopter pilots.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between whole body vibration (WBV) induced helicopter flights and degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine.


METHODS
We examined 186 helicopter pilots who were exposed to WBV and 94 military clerical workers at a military hospital. Questionnaires and interviews were completed for 164 of the 186 pilots (response rate, 88.2%) and 88 of the 94 clerical workers (response rate, 93.6%). Radiographic examinations of the cervical and the lumbar spines were performed after obtaining informed consent in both groups. Degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spines were determined using four radiographs per subject, and diagnosed by two independent, blinded radiologists.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in general and work-related characteristics except for flight hours and frequency between helicopter pilots and clerical workers. Degenerative changes in the cervical spine were significantly more prevalent in the helicopter pilots compared with control group. In the cervical spine multivariate model, accumulated flight hours (per 100 hours) was associated with degenerative changes. And in the lumbar spine multivariate model, accumulated flight hours (per 100 hours) and age were associated with degenerative changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Accumulated flight hours were associated with degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spines in helicopter pilots.
Department of Occupational Medicine, Changwon Fatima Hospital, Changwon, Korea.
Joo Hyeon
JH
Byeon
Jung Won
JW
Kim
Ho Joong
HJ
Jeong
Young Joo
YJ
Sim
Dong Kyu
DK
Kim
Jong Kyoung
JK
Choi
Hyoung June
HJ
Im
Ghi Chan
GC
Kim
Aircraft; Degenerative changes; Spine; Vibration