Migraine History and Outcomes in Military Pilots and Flight Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common disorder with significant aeromedical implications. The variability and unpredictable nature of occurrences hampers accurate assessment of future risk. This uncertainty results in a necessarily conservative approach to aeromedical recommendations, which unfortunately may lead to over-restrictive dispositions. Limited long-term follow up information is available on migraine outcomes in pilots, particularly assessing for impact of potential modifiable aggravating factors.Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 159 U.S. Air Force pilots with migraine who had been granted aeromedical waivers. As a comparison group, 44 U.S. Air Force flight surgeons with migraine who had been granted aeromedical waivers were reviewed.Results: Migraine with aura and isolated migraine aura without headache accounted for the majority of migraine subtypes in both male and female subjects. Self-identified triggering factors were identified by 62% of subjects. The most commonly reported triggers were dietary factors, sleep disturbances, stress, caffeine intake, and hormonal factors. Sleep disturbances, stress, hormonal factors, and ethanol triggers were more frequently noted in female subjects. Self-reported positive response to trigger factor modification was noted in 54% of subjects. Subjects reported an average of only 3 migraine attacks in the previous year. Long-term follow up indicated continued aeromedical waiver in 91% of subjects.Discussion: The majority of subjects had migraine with aura or isolated migraine aura. Significant salutary response to modification of commonly-reported triggering factors was noted. These findings can be incorporated into individualized aeromedically-compatible management strategies to clarify symptom impact on aviation safety, improve symptom control, and increase the possibility of safe return to fly recommendations.Hesselbrock RR, Haynes JT.