|
Abstract:
|
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) were a disqualifying medication for U.S. Civil pilots before April 5, 2010. After this date, there was a Federal Aviation Administration policy change that allowed airmen, on selected SSRIs, a pathway to hold a valid medical certificate. This study examined data from the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute's Forensic Toxicology Research Database in conjunction with the Medical Analysis Tracking Registry (aircraft fatality autopsy records) and the Document Imaging and Workflow System (airmen medical records). A count-based regression model quantified the relationships between positive SSRI findings with additional factors of interest. These factors included pilot experience, accident location, ethanol, and first generation antihistamines. The accident locations for airmen who tested positive for an SSRI were plotted on a Geographic Information System map and compared to those who tested negative. There were 1,484 fatally injured airmen over the study period, of which 44 tested positive for an SSRI. The accident location and first generation antihistamines were statistically associated with positive findings of SSRIs.
|
