Aspects of work organization and reduced sleep quality of airline pilots

Pellegrino, Pollyanna; Moreno, Cláudia Roberta de Castro; Marqueze, Elaine Cristina

doi:10.5935/1984-0063.20190053

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…Occupational physicians should inform airline pilots about proper sleep habits as well as on the relationships between sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Current health surveillance activities should also include adequate screening programs for sleep disorders and OSA.…”

Section: Reducing the Risk Of Sleep And Mental Health-related Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also found that older and more experienced pilots were less likely to report impaired sleep quality and sleepiness [ 4 ]. Another large study by Pellegrino et al [ 5 ] investigating 1234 Brazilian commercial aviation pilots reported a 48.2% prevalence of poor sleep quality. The main predictors of impaired sleep quality included moderate and great need for recovery after work, high frequency of technical delays, being insufficiently physically active and sleeping 6−8 hours and < 6 hours on days off, over five consecutive night shifts, and difficulty commuting to work [ 5 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another large study by Pellegrino et al [ 5 ] investigating 1234 Brazilian commercial aviation pilots reported a 48.2% prevalence of poor sleep quality. The main predictors of impaired sleep quality included moderate and great need for recovery after work, high frequency of technical delays, being insufficiently physically active and sleeping 6−8 hours and < 6 hours on days off, over five consecutive night shifts, and difficulty commuting to work [ 5 ]. These results were broadly confirmed by Sallinen et al [ 6 ], who identified flight duty period timing and inadequate sleep as the main self-reported reasons for on-duty sleepiness among short- and long-haul pilots.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent decades, the aviation industry has faced increasing competition and pressure to reduce costs, which has raised concerns about the working conditions and job security of pilots [ 5 ]. These concerns have potential implications for the safety and efficiency of flights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These concerns have potential implications for the safety and efficiency of flights. As airlines seek to reduce costs, they may implement cost-cutting measures (e.g., implementing contract work arrangements and applying pay-to-fly schemes) that can negatively impact pilots’ performance and the safety of flights [ 5 ]. In addition, these changes can create instability and uncertainty for pilots, which can negatively impact their job satisfaction and motivation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Health in the Skies: A Narrative Review of the Issues Faced by Commercial Airline Pilots

Minoretti¹,

Emanuele²

2023

Cureus

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While the health of airline pilots is crucial to ensuring the safe travel of millions of people worldwide, they remain vulnerable to a variety of health challenges due to the nature of their job. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most common health issues experienced by commercial airline pilots. By examining the published literature on this topic, we sought to identify areas where further research is needed to understand better the health risks associated with being a pilot and to develop effective interventions to address these risks. We also highlight how recent technological advances in digital health can be leveraged to conduct research into the potential usefulness of telehealth assessments for identifying occupational hazards in the aviation sector and providing targeted interventions. Overall, addressing the challenges of taking care of pilots' health and ensuring public safety will require a collaborative effort among airlines, governments, and regulators. Prioritizing pilot health and safety can actually improve profitability in the aviation sector by reducing costs associated with absenteeism, turnover, and accidents.

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Section: Reducing the Risk Of Sleep And Mental Health-related Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health in the Skies: A Narrative Review of the Issues Faced by Commercial Airline Pilots

Minoretti¹,

Emanuele²

2023

Cureus

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Sleep Disorders Among Commercial Airline Pilots

Alzehairi¹,

Alhejaili²,

Wali³

et al. 2021

aerosp med hum perform

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BACKGROUND: Over the next 20 yr, international market expansion will necessitate the production of new commercial airplanes and the recruitment of additional crewmembers and technicians. Research has proven that fatigue and lack of sleep are risk factors for impaired cognitive performance and human error. Pilots frequently report fatigue to their employers, which may be related to sleep disturbance. Airline pilots, in particular, often experience circadian desynchronization and other types of sleep disorders. Shift workers have been observed to be at higher risk of fatigue that affects their performance and alertness. In Saudi Arabia, sleep disorders among airline pilots are understudied and underreported. The primary objective of this study was to screen for and determine the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression among pilots.METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with national commercial pilots was conducted from March 2019 to March 2020 using validated questionnaires to screen for the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression.RESULTS: In total, 344 pilots participated in the study. Half the sample was at risk for insomnia and fatigue. Older and more experienced pilots were less likely to suffer impaired sleep quality, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. In total, 59 (17.2%) pilots were at high risk for sleep apnea.CONCLUSION: The current study found that pilots were at risk of developing sleep disorders. A more robust and objective assessment is warranted for screening.Alzehairi A, Alhejaili F, Wali S, Al Qassas I, Balkhyour M, Pandi-Perumal SR. Sleep disorders among commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):937–944.

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The Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Health Risk Factors among Airline Pilots: A Systematic Review

Driller

Johnston²,

Gill

2022

IJERPH

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Background: The occupational demands of professional airline pilots such as shift work, work schedule irregularities, sleep disruption, fatigue, physical inactivity, and psychological stress may promote adverse outcomes to cardiometabolic health. This review investigates the prevalence of cardiometabolic health risk factors for airline pilots. Methods: An electronic search was conducted utilizing PubMed, MEDLINE (via OvidSP), CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science for publications between 1990 and February 2022. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using two quality assessment tools for cross-sectional and clinical trial studies. The prevalence of physiological, behavioral, and psychological risk factors was reported using descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 48 studies derived from 20 different countries, reviewing a total pooled sample of 36,958 airline pilots. Compared with general population estimates, pilots had a similar prevalence for health risk factors, yet higher sleep duration, lower smoking and obesity rates, less physical activity, and a higher overall rate of body mass index >25. Conclusions: The research reported substantial prevalence >50% for overweight and obesity, insufficient physical activity, elevated fatigue, and regular alcohol intake among pilots. However, the heterogeneity in methodology and the lack of quality and quantity in the current literature limit the strength of conclusions that can be established. Enhanced monitoring and future research are essential to inform aviation health practices and policies (Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022308287).

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Aspects of work organization and reduced sleep quality of airline pilots

Cited by 5 publications

References 20 publications

Health in the Skies: A Narrative Review of the Issues Faced by Commercial Airline Pilots

Health in the Skies: A Narrative Review of the Issues Faced by Commercial Airline Pilots

Sleep Disorders Among Commercial Airline Pilots

The Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Health Risk Factors among Airline Pilots: A Systematic Review

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