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Abnormal glucose levels found in transportation accidents
D V Canfield1, A K Chaturvedi, H K Boren
1Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. dennis_canfield@mmacmail.jccbi.gov
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|September 22, 2001
Summary
Postmortem vitreous humor and urine glucose levels can indicate pre-existing diabetic conditions in aviation accident fatalities. This analysis aids in identifying potential medical factors contributing to accidents.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Aviation Medicine
- Diabetic Condition Assessment
Background:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies pilots with diabetes.
- Assessing postmortem glucose levels in accident fatalities is crucial for identifying incapacitating medical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate postmortem vitreous humor and urine glucose levels as indicators of medical impairment.
- To determine the utility of these biomarkers in aviation accident investigations.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed vitreous humor and urine glucose in 192 accident fatalities using the hexokinase method.
- Excluded values below detection limits or extreme outliers (above 3 SD).
- Identified abnormal glucose levels and reviewed medical histories for cases exceeding 5 SD.
Main Results:
- Mean vitreous humor glucose: 30±21 mg/dL (N=98); Mean urine glucose: 27±16 mg/dL (N=127).
- Nine cases showed abnormal glucose levels, including 5 of 8 known diabetic individuals.
- Two pilots had glycosuria; one had abnormal glucose levels.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem vitreous humor and urine glucose levels effectively indicate hyperglycemia.
- Abnormal glucose findings correlated with pre-existing diabetic conditions or other medical reasons.
- Elevated glucose levels are valuable in identifying diabetic conditions as potential accident factors.
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