Trends in Metabolic Disorder in U.S. Army Aviators, 20162018

Area of Science:

• Aviation Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Previous studies suggested higher rates of hyperlipidemia and metabolic disorder among U.S. Army aviators.
• The persistence and authenticity of this trend required further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if elevated hyperlipidemia and metabolic disorder rates in U.S. Army aviators persisted between 2016-2018.
• To determine the genuine nature of these health trends in aviator populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS) and the Aeromedical Electronic Resource Office (AERO) for 2016-2018.
• Calculated incidence rates (per 1000 person-years) and percentages of aviators with hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome.
• Age-stratified incidence rates from DMSS were analyzed.

Main Results:

• DMSS data showed hyperlipidemia rates from 3.18-6.83 per 1000 person-years and metabolic syndrome rates from 0.16-0.69 per 1000 person-years.
• Rates increased with age, and AERO data indicated 0.8-1.5% of aviators had hyperlipidemia and 0.31-0.45% had metabolic syndrome.
• These findings were comparable to earlier study results.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests no ongoing increase in hyperlipidemia or metabolic disorder among U.S. Army aviators.
• The observed rates are comparable to previous findings, indicating the trend may not be escalating.
• Potential factors influencing testing or reporting warrant further consideration.