Diabetes mellitus: rates and outcomes among U.S. Army aviators.

The U.S. Army Aviation Epidemiology Data Register (AEDR) was queried for Army aviators with the finding of glycosuria, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus (DM), use of oral hypoglycemic agents, or use of insulin for the period 1988-92. The study tabulated the incidence and age-specific annual rates of DM, and tabulated the distribution and reasons for aeromedical dispositions of aircrew with DM. U.S. Army aeromedical planners can expect an incidence of 0.47 cases of DM per 1000 aviator-years per year. Aviators over 35 yr old were at the greatest risk. About 78% of the aviators with DM will be removed permanently from Army flying duties. This was due primarily to an inability to gain dietary control of their condition or the discovery of other significant medical conditions, such as coronary artery disease.