Gender Not a Risk for Altitude Decompression Sickness Risk

Abstract

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, □atherinq and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information including suggestions for reducing the burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services Directorate for Information PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Wyle Laboratories, Life Sciences, Systems and Services Inc. 2485 Gillingham Drive San Antonio, TX 78235-5105 SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)High SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)AFRL/HEPR SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) AFRL-HE-BR-TR-2002-0212 DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for Public Release; distribution is unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESThis report will be published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine as a peer-reviewed article in 2003, Volum 74. ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION. We conducted 25 altitude chamber decompression exposure profiles incorporating both genders in a prospective attempt to clarify the role of gender in DCS susceptibility. METHODS. The 291 human subjects were exposed (961 subject-exposures) to simulated altitude for up to 8 h, using zero to 4 h of preoxygenation. Subjects breathed 100% oxygen, rested or performed mild or strenuous exercise while decompressed, and were monitored for precordial venous gas emboli (VGE) and DCS symptoms. RESULTS. No differences (P=0.24) in DCS incidence were observed between males (49.5%) and females (45.3%). Higher DCS incidence (P < 0.001) was observed in the heaviest males, females with the highest body fat, and in subjects with the highest body mass indices and lowest levels of fitness. CONCLUSION. No differences in altitude DCS incidence were observed between males and females under our test conditions. No apparent need exists for changes in procedures, training, or equipment to enhance protection from DCS based on gender. GENDER NOT A FACTOR FOR ALTITUDE DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS RISK James T. Webb, Nandini Kannan, and Andrew A. Pilmanis ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION. Early, retrospective reports of the incidence of altitude decompression sickness (DCS) during altitude chamber training exposures indicated that females were more susceptible than males. We hypothesized that a controlled, prospective study would show no significant difference. METHODS. We conducted 25 altitude chamber decompression exposure profiles. A total of 291 human subjects, 197 males and 94 females, underwent 961 exposures to simulated altitude for up to 8 h, using zero to 4 h of preoxygenation. Throughout the exposures, subjects breathed 100% oxygen, rested or performed mild or strenuous exercise, and were monitored for precordial venous gas emboli (VGE) and DCS symptoms. RESULTS. No significant differences in DCS incidence were observed between males (49.5%) and females (45.3%). However, VGE occ...

Recompression Treatment of Red Sea Diving Accidents

“…A similar conclusion was reached regarding risk of altitude decompression sickness. 13 Since the percentage of body fat, menstrual status, birth control drugs, or other allegedly risk-compounding factors were not examined in our patient population, we were unable to determine factors that might have predisposed women to DCS and consequently to a more vigorous recompression treatment. More studies are needed to clarify whether female gender is an independent risk factor for DCS.…”

Bubble trouble: a review of diving physiology and disease

“…A prospective trial of altitude exposure showed no net differences between men and women in risk for altitude decompression illness, but there was some association with menstrual cycle phase in subjects taking oral contraceptives 39. Prospective data on over 34 000 recreational dives by women submitting dive data to an ongoing project by the Diving Diseases Research Centre also suggests an association of risk with phase of the menstrual cycle, with problems more likely to be reported during the last and first weeks of the cycle 40 41.…”

Mechanisms and Risks of Decompression

“…For altitude exposure, DCS risk increased significantly with the weight/height ratio 89 and with weight. 126 The reports of Wise 122 and Curley and colleagues 125 stand out in finding no association between DCS and body fat. Wise 122 studied 1131 U.S. Navy divers, 63% of whom experienced DCS; Curley and associates 125 studied 376 U.S. Navy divers, 30% of whom experienced DCS.…”