Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment.

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) has negative implications for the military's combat effectiveness. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among pilots through a questionnaire and physical function assessments. Methods: Data on the demographic and occupational characteristics, health habits, physical activity, and musculoskeletal injuries of 217 male pilots (114 fighter, 48 helicopter, and 55 transport pilots) were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and physical function assessments. Results: LBP prevalence was 37.8% in the total cohort and 36.0, 45.8, and 34.5% among fighter, helicopter, and transport pilots, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the risk factors significantly associated with LBP were neck pain [odds ratio (OR): 3.559, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.827-6.934], transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.346, 95% CI: 0.172-0.698), and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000-0.563) in the total cohort; neck pain (OR: 3.586, 95% CI: 1.365-9.418), transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.094-0.765), hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000-0.949), and weekly flying hours (OR: 3.889, 95% CI: 1.490-10.149) in fighter pilots; irregular strength training (OR: 0.036, 95% CI: 0.003-0.507) and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000-0.042) in helicopter pilots; and neck pain (OR: 6.417, 95% CI: 1.424-28.909) in transport pilots. Conclusions: High volume flight schedules and weak core muscle functions have significant negative effects on pilots' back health. LBP is commonly associated with high weekly flying hours, worsening neck pain, transversus abdominis insufficient activation, and reduced hip extensor/rotator strength. Risk factors vary among pilots of different aircraft. Thus, specific core muscle training would be especially important for military pilots.

Analysis of prognostic factors of patients with corona virus disease 2019 in Hefei, China

Objective To explore the relationship of prognosis of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with age and inflammation. Methods The clinical data of 72 patients with COVID-19 in Hefei were collected. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. The data was stratified and analyzed according to age, gender and severity of the disease. Results Among the elderly patients with COVID- 19, the proportion of the patients with basic diseases and severe disease was significantly higher, and the proportion of healers was significantly lower than that of other age groups (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and CRP in the elderly patients with COVID-19 were significantly higher than those in other age groups (P<0.05) . The levels of IL-6 and CRP in the severe patients were significantly higher than those in the mild patients (P< 0.05) . Conclusions Age and inflammation may increase the patients' susceptibility to the new coronavirus, and also adversely affect the patients' prognosis and outcome.