open access

Vol 64, No 3 (2013)
Original article
Submitted: 2013-09-25
Accepted: 2013-09-25
Published online: 2013-09-25
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Prevalence and causes of loss of consciousness in former North Sea occupational divers

Endre Sundal, Ågot Irgens, Kari Troland, Einar Thorsen, Marit Grønning
IMH 2013;64(3):142-147.

open access

Vol 64, No 3 (2013)
HYPERBARIC MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2013-09-25
Accepted: 2013-09-25
Published online: 2013-09-25

Abstract

Background: Loss of consciousness (LOC) is a serious event during diving. The purpose of this study wasto estimate the prevalence and causes of LOC during diving in former North Sea divers, and the impacton health-related quality of life.

Materials and methods: Up to 1990 a total of 373 Norwegian offshore divers worked in the North Sea. From 2000 to 2011, 221 of these were referred to the Department of Occupational Medicine at Haukeland University Hospital for examination due to health complaints. They filled in a questionnaire for registration of diving experience and health complaints, including the SF-36 version 1 for the assessment of quality oflife. The questionnaire and the hospital records were systematically reviewed by 2 independent observers. Episodes of LOC during diving and the causes were registered. All participants underwent a clinical neurological examination. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and the event-related brain potential (P300) were recorded.

Results: One or more episodes of LOC were reported by 58 of 219 divers. LOC due to gas cut was reportedby 27 of these. Divers having experienced LOC due to gas cut had lower SF-36 sub-scores then the rest of the diving population. EEG and P300 recordings did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: A high proportion of former Norwegian North Sea divers reported episodes of LOC, for whichgas cut was the most common cause. Both hypoxia and peritraumatic stress associated with the episodecould have a long term impact on the quality of life. Neurophysiological functions, however, did not differbetween the groups.

Abstract

Background: Loss of consciousness (LOC) is a serious event during diving. The purpose of this study wasto estimate the prevalence and causes of LOC during diving in former North Sea divers, and the impacton health-related quality of life.

Materials and methods: Up to 1990 a total of 373 Norwegian offshore divers worked in the North Sea. From 2000 to 2011, 221 of these were referred to the Department of Occupational Medicine at Haukeland University Hospital for examination due to health complaints. They filled in a questionnaire for registration of diving experience and health complaints, including the SF-36 version 1 for the assessment of quality oflife. The questionnaire and the hospital records were systematically reviewed by 2 independent observers. Episodes of LOC during diving and the causes were registered. All participants underwent a clinical neurological examination. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and the event-related brain potential (P300) were recorded.

Results: One or more episodes of LOC were reported by 58 of 219 divers. LOC due to gas cut was reportedby 27 of these. Divers having experienced LOC due to gas cut had lower SF-36 sub-scores then the rest of the diving population. EEG and P300 recordings did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: A high proportion of former Norwegian North Sea divers reported episodes of LOC, for whichgas cut was the most common cause. Both hypoxia and peritraumatic stress associated with the episodecould have a long term impact on the quality of life. Neurophysiological functions, however, did not differbetween the groups.

Get Citation

Keywords

diving, health-related quality of life, neurology, occupational risk

About this article
Title

Prevalence and causes of loss of consciousness in former North Sea occupational divers

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 64, No 3 (2013)

Article type

Original article

Pages

142-147

Published online

2013-09-25

Page views

1098

Article views/downloads

1733

Bibliographic record

IMH 2013;64(3):142-147.

Keywords

diving
health-related quality of life
neurology
occupational risk

Authors

Endre Sundal
Ågot Irgens
Kari Troland
Einar Thorsen
Marit Grønning

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