Diagnosis,treatment and medical evaluation of allergic rhinitis in pilots

Objective To sum up the experiences with diagnosis,treatment and medical evaluation of allergic rhinitis in pilots. Methods Data about 53 pilots admitted to our hospital due to allergic rhinitis were analyzed,classified,types,and graded.Connection between such data and secondary barotraumas were studied. Results Class I allergic rhinitis（without symptoms of secondary barotraumas in flight）,class II allergic rhinitis（with symptoms of secondary barotraumas in flight）,perenial allergic rhinitis,and pollinosis were diagnosed in 30,23,28,and 25 pilots,respectively.Forty-four pilots could continue their flying and 9 pilots were permanently grounded. Conclusion Allergic rhinitis is common in pilots.Secondary barotraumas and perenial allergic rhinitis are the important factors for medical grounding.