Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Pain and discomfort in deployed helicopter aviators wearing body armor.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: In early 2007, U.S. Army helicopter aviators deployed to Afghanistan complained of increased pain frequency during flight. The aviators attributed this pain to body armor, which had not been worn prior to deployment. This study was conducted to investigate these complaints. METHODS: A retrospective study of pain frequency among 68 deployed helicopter aviators was performed using self-reported categorical pain ratings and flight times abstracted from a safety questionnaire. To assess the association of substantial increases in flight time on reported pain frequency, study subjects were divided into a group reporting a decrease or increase of 1 h or less in average daily flight hours during deployment as compared to predeployment (level flight hours, LFH) and a group reporting an increase of greater than 1 h in average daily flight hours (increased flight hours, IFH). RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of aviators in the IFH group reported an increase in pain frequency as compared to LFH (81.5% vs. 61.1%, respectively). The relative risk (RR) of increased pain frequency associated with IFH was greatest in the lower back (RR = 1.80), legs (RR = 2.60), arms (RR = 9.11), and the groin (RR = 12.1). DISCUSSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that complaints of increased pain frequency during deployment were associated with substantial increases in flight times. Further study is warranted to investigate and confirm the underlying causes of this pain.

Author information

Author/s: Nevin, Remington L (RL); Means, Gary E (GE);

Affiliation: Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, United States Africa Command, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. remington.nevin(-atsign-)us.army.mil

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine (Aviat Space Environ Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 80 (issue 9) : pp 807-10

Dates: Created 2009/09/15; Completed 2009/10/08;

PMID: 19750878, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/8/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Arm Aviation Cohort Studies Groin Humans Leg Lumbosacral Region

Lumbosacral Region Middle Aged Military Personnel Pain - etiology Pain Measurement Protective Clothing - adverse effects Retrospective Studies Time Factors

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