Moh Syahrir Azizi1Anna Uyainah2Zulkifli Amin2Moh Sedijono3Hamzah Satri41Departemen Ilmu Penyakit Dalam FKUI/RSCM2Divisi Respirologi dan Perawatan Penyakit Kritis, Departemen Ilmu Penyakit Dalam FKUI/RSCM3Departemen Ilmu Penyakit Dalam, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana4Divisi Psikosomatik, Departemen Ilmu Penyakit Dalam FKUI/RSCMKorespondensi

ABSTRACT
Background: The decreased pressure in aircraft cabins may cause hypoxia symptoms in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Currently, no publication is known to have reported the profile in-flight hypoxia symptoms and pre-flight medical screening in COPD pilgrims.
Objective: To obtain profile of in-flight hypoxia and pre-flight assessment for fitness-to-fly without oxygen
supplementation based on pulmonary function test, oxygen saturation, and the ability to walk more than 50 meters among pilgrims with COPD.
Methods: This is a desciptive study which was conducted during the pilgrimage season in 2011.
Results: Thirty six COPD patients were identified and subsequently recruited to this study. Pre-flight medical
assesment concluded that 33 subjects were fit to fly without supplemental oxygen. Nevertheless, three subjects developed in-flight hypoxia symptoms i.e. two of them were fit to fly without supplemental oxygen, while another subject was recommended to have supplemental oxygen. Characteristics of subjects with in-flight hypoxia were as follows: current smokers (10.5%), not known to have COPD prior to health examination (8.8%), moderate COPD category (9.5%), above 60 years old (5,3%), and had comorbidities (4,2%).
Conclusion: Most pilgrims with COPD were fit to fly without oxygen supplementation.
Key words: Hypoxia symptoms, COPD, Pilgrims.