RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ALTITUDE DECOMPRESSION-SICKNESS

Background: Susceptibility to altitude decompression sickness (DCS) is influenced by a multitude of factors including, potentially, an indiv idual's age. Previous attempts by authors to determine the effect of a ge on DCS susceptibility have produced conflicting results. The purpos e of this study was to try to clarify that conflict and to quantify th e impact of age on DCS risk. Methods: We examined the Armstrong Labora tory DCS Hypobaric Research Database containing data on 1299 subject f light exposures conducted from 1983-94. Subjects were from 18-48 yr of age. Exposure altitudes ranged from 11,500 Ft (3505 m) to 30,000 ft ( 9144 m). The duration of exposure varied from 3-8 h and preoxygenation time ranged from 0-2 h and 15 min. Data were compiled according to se ven age groups. Results: The results show a significant three-fold inc rease in susceptibility between the age group 18-21 and the group > 42 yr of age. The results also show a trend toward increased susceptibil ity between the 18-21 group and the groups between 26 and 41 yr of age . However, there was no significant change within the range of 26-41 y r. Conclusion: There is a trend toward increased DCS susceptibility wi th increasing age, with a particularly strong trend for individuals ov er 42 yr of age.