Investigation on Hospitalization of Cervical Spondylosis among Military Pilots, 2010 - 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze the situation of hospitalization and medical appraisal of cervical spondylosis in military pilots. MethodsA single-center retrospective study was conducted on the active military pilots hospitalized for cervical spondylosis in our center from January 2010 to December 2019.After inclusion and exclusion criteria, descriptive statistics and analysis were made on age, sex, flight type, flight time, disease type, diagnosis and treatment and medical identification results of the included subjects.ResultsDuring January 2010 to December 2019, 166 military pilots with cervical spondylosis were admitted to our center, accounting for 17.61% of the total orthopaedic diseases, ranking the second place.The hospitalization rate of military pilots with cervical spondylosis in orthopedics department decreased from 2015 to 2019, but the hospitalization rate (193 person-times) was in an increasing trend compared with that in 2010-2014 (148 person-times) (P < 0.05).The average age of the pilots with cervical spondylosis was 37.37±7.37 years old, and there was no significant difference in the age of the pilots of different aircraft types. Compared with the age of other active servicemen in the same period (39.72±8.98 years), the incidence of the pilots tended to be younger (P < 0.05).The average incidence of cervical spondylosis in flight crew was 2597.09±1954.50h, and fighter pilots were more likely to have cervical spondylosis in early flight than those who flew helicopter, transport aircraft and trainer aircraft (P < 0.05).4 cases (2.41%) received surgical treatment, which was significantly lower than that of non-aircrew members (12.09%) (P < 0.05).Among the 166 cases, 87 cases (52.41%) were qualified and returned to work,53 cases of military pilots temporary unqualified flight, 26 cases of military pilots unqualified flight, unable to continue to fly.ConclusionCervical spondylosis of pilots account for the forefront of orthopedic disease spectrum, and the onset age is younger, the treatment is relatively simple, and the qualified rate of flight after treatment is low.