The Awareness of Airline Passengers About the Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis During an Aeroplane Flight

Abstract

Introduction: Venous thrombosis associated with immobilization during travel is also called economy-class syndrome or traveller`s thrombosis. The risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) during a long flight is about 0.02 to 2.7% and increases with the duration of the flight. Material and methods: The aim of the study was to determine the level of knowledge of airline passengers regarding the relation between the flight and the occurrence of venous thrombosis. Four hundred airline passengers took part in the study. An anonymous questionnaire was conducted. Results: Fifty-two per cent confirmed the potential influence of long air travel on the increased risk of thrombosis, including the following: prolonged sitting, flight duration which increases the risk, and variation of pressures and conditions in the aircraft compared to those prevailing at sea level. The question about the possibility of taking preventive actions during a long flight by plane was answered by 51% of the respondents. Sixty per cent of the respondents indicated exercises, 45% indicated drugs, and compression products were mentioned by 23%. The terms "economy-class syndrome" or "traveller's thrombosis" were unknown to most of the respondents. Conclusions: Despite easy access to the Internet and magazines, knowledge among travellers remains low when it comes to the connection between deep vein thrombosis morbidity and travelling by plane, and similarly in terms of prevention and risk factors. It is essential to take up large-scale and systemic actions that could enhance the awareness of minimising the risk of DVT.