Metabolic Syndrome and Periodontal Disease Among Civilian Pilots

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that can affect civilian pilots' health. Its prevalence and the correlation with periodontal disease (PD) among pilots had not been previously reported. The aim of the study was to determine MetS and PD status, and to reveal their relationship in a representative sample of Chinese civilian pilots.

We investigated 303 civilian pilots (mean age 34.92 ± 7.66 yr). General information as well as blood and saliva samples were collected. Diagnostic criteria for MetS were based on the joint interim statements of several medical organizations. Periodontal status was evaluated by Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), concentration of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), saliva matrix metalloproteinase-8, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1).

Of the subjects, 38.28% showed MetS and 23.10% showed periodontitis. Significant differences were found between the MetS and non-MetS pilots in total flying hours, CPI, WC, BP, TG, HDL-C, FPG, BMI, and TIMP-1. Significant relationships were found between MetS and CPI, BMI, and TIMP-1. The odds ratios were 3.378 (95%CI: 1.889-5924) for CPI, 1.269 (95%CI: 1.101-1.463) for BMI, and 0.600 (95%CI: 0.399-0.904) for TIMP-1.

The prevalence of MetS was sufficiently high to be a matter of medical concern, and was associated with PD among civilian pilots.Chen X, Xie L, Liu Y, Chen D, Yu Q, Gan X, Yu H. Metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease among civilian pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(12):1016-1020.