Bendrick G A, Ainscough M J, Pilmanis A A, Bisson R U
USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5123, USA.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 1996 Mar;67(3):199-206.
Though it is rarely reported, decompression sickness (DCS) is an expected risk for U-2 aviators. The potential for chronic sequelae of untreated DCS in this population has never been addressed.
After conducting a preliminary survey at an active-duty U-2 squadron, a cohort of 416 U-2 pilots (active-duty and retired) were mailed two sequential anonymous surveys to assess demographic data, career prevalence of DCS symptoms, and overall health status with an emphasis on chronic musculoskeletal problems.
The response rate for each mail-in survey was over 60%. During their career, 75.5% of pilots experienced DCS symptoms such as joint pain, skin manifestations, and/or various neurological problems. Symptoms generally started during flight and resolved upon descent. Many pilots voluntarily increased their oxygen prebreathing time, or inflated the pressure suit during flight to prevent or treat symptoms. At some point in their career 12.7% of those experiencing symptoms either altered the flight profile or aborted a mission as a result. The association of past DCS with current arthritic problems was not statistically significant.
The career prevalence of DCS symptoms in U-2 pilots is higher than previously reported, and these symptoms sometimes affect mission completion. We found no evidence that chronic musculoskeletal sequelae (e.g., arthritis or dysbaric osteonecrosis) are causally associated with DCS in this population.
尽管减压病（DCS）鲜有报道，但它是U-2飞行员预期会面临的一种风险。该人群中未经治疗的减压病的慢性后遗症的可能性从未得到探讨。
在一个现役U-2中队进行初步调查后，向416名U-2飞行员（现役和退役）邮寄了两份连续的匿名调查问卷，以评估人口统计学数据、减压病症状的职业患病率以及整体健康状况，重点是慢性肌肉骨骼问题。
每份邮寄调查问卷的回复率都超过60%。在其职业生涯中，75.5%的飞行员经历过减压病症状，如关节疼痛、皮肤表现和/或各种神经问题。症状通常在飞行期间开始，并在下降时缓解。许多飞行员会主动增加吸氧预呼吸时间，或在飞行期间给压力服充气以预防或治疗症状。在其职业生涯的某个时刻，12.7%出现症状的飞行员因此改变了飞行计划或中止了任务。既往减压病与当前关节炎问题之间的关联无统计学意义。
U-2飞行员减压病症状的职业患病率高于先前报道，且这些症状有时会影响任务完成。我们没有发现证据表明该人群中慢性肌肉骨骼后遗症（如关节炎或减压性骨坏死）与减压病存在因果关联。
