'Economy class syndrome': rare, but not to be ignored

Long-haul airline passengers should move around and drink lots of fluids to avoid a potentially fatal blood clot condition known as "economy class syndrome," doctors and airline officials said yesterday.
The warning came following the death of a 28-year-old British woman who died from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) believed to have been caused by sitting for 20 hours on a Qantas flight from Sydney to London.
Medical experts said she was one of the youngest victims of DVT, a sudden illness caused by lack of movement over a sustained period.
The condition has been dubbed "economy class syndrome" because the lack of legroom in economy is considered the leading contributor.
British Airways is conducting an independent study of the condition at Newcastle University.
But Terry Daly, BA's General Manager for the Middle East, North Africa and Central and South Asia, dismissed claims that deep vein thrombosis was caused exclusively by economy class seating.
"Deep vein thrombosis is not exclusive to flying and can occur following any long period of immobility," he said.
"The term 'economy class syndrome', which some people have started to use, is a misnomer because there have also been cases of it happening in first and business class.
"Instances of deep vein thrombosis happening following flights are extremely rare, and generally sufferers are found to have had other contributing risk factors such as previous blood clots, recent surgery, or they are taking hormone treatments."
Daly said data from the study found that out of 634 cases, 26 were related to travel, 16 of them exclusively to flying.
The airline offers extensive information to passengers on how to avoid the condition on its website and in its in-flight magazine, "High Life".
"The website advises passengers to drink adequate fluids, avoid smoking, alcohol and crossing one's legs when seated. Passengers are also told to walk around regularly, to wear loose-fitting clothes and to carry out the foot and leg exercises as advised in 'High Life'."
Dr Suresh Puri, a consultant physician and pulmonoligist at Welcare hospital, agreed.
"I wouldn't say deep vein thrombosis resulting in pulmonary embolism is isolated to economy class passengers because it can happen to those in business and first class," he said.
"However, it is possible that because there is less room in the economy section, people can't move so easily, and lack of movement is a big underlying cause of the condition."
Puri said incidences were not on the increase, and that other underlying causes could also be held responsible.
"It could be that the passenger is pre-disposed to the condition. For example, a young woman taking oral contraceptives has a higher risk, as well as smokers, or those who are obese.
"Certainly, lack of movement causes blood clots, but other factors can also apply. I wouldn't say that somebody flying has a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis than somebody on a long car journey."
A spokesperson for Gulf Air said, "Compared to some airlines, we offer a reasonable amount of space in economy class. We also offer advice on how to avoid the condition, which includes not eating too much, because this promotes inactivity."
Another Dubai doctor said, "It is quite a rare thing. Most people get off a plane with swollen feet, which is another symptom of inactivity, but very few end up with a clot on the lungs.
"However, I would definitely like to see more room in economy class seats because I don't think they help the situation at all."