Proteinuria in aviation personnel: waiver policy in the U.S. Navy.

BACKGROUND

Proteinuria is a condition occasionally detected both in applicants for military pilot training and in experienced pilots. Medical personnel involved in the care of either group require a standardized policy for the evaluation and aeromedical disposition of proteinuria for these personnel.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to obtain current information and prognostic data on proteinuria in the general medical literature. Generally accepted waiver principles were then examined to determine if proteinuria should be waivered in aviation personnel. Other agency policies regarding proteinuria in aviation personnel were examined. The biomedical database records at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) were searched to discover the U.S. Navy's experience in the evaluation and disposition of aviation personnel with proteinuria.

RESULTS

A review of the general medical literature revealed general categories of proteinuria (dependent on protein excretion amount and symptomatology) and the presence or absence of systemic disease that correlated well with prognostic data. These categories provided useful criteria to develop an aeromedical policy that was consistent with previous (informal) NAMI policies, generally accepted waiver principles, and the existing policies of other agencies. Using the above results, a recommended policy for aviation personnel with proteinuria was presented.

CONCLUSIONS

A recommended policy for the evaluation and aeromedical disposition of aviation personnel with proteinuria was developed for both applicants for U.S. Navy aviation duty as well as in those already serving within the U.S. Navy aviation community.