Gastrointestinal problems in airline crew members

The presence of intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms was investigated by a symptom questionnaire in crew members (n = 190) - and as controls in age and sex matched ground based administrative employees (n = 100) - of a charter carrier and was related to the actual flight schedule of the flying staff during one month. In addition, health and illness behaviors and personal, job and life satisfaction were assessed and related to symptom scores and flight schedules. Flying staff did report significantly more dyspeptic symptoms than did ground staff, and this was found mainly with long-distance flying, since staff with short-haul experience only did not report as much upper intestinal complaints. Also, cabin crew reported significantly more intestinal symptoms than did cockpit members, and part of the upper GI symptoms could be explained by different eating behaviors, specifically more fibre intake in flying staff. With increasing intestinal symptom frequency, doctor visits and sick-days increased, and satisfaction with job and personal life decreased. Flying staff had, however, more awareness of the importance of health behaviors. It is concluded that frequent flying specifically on long distances may result in increased intestinal symptoms, presumably due to time-shift.