Newsstand - Economy class kills 2,000 a year alone in UK

The Sydney Morning Herald today.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/0101/11/pageone/pageone5.html

Excerpt:
A new study has estimated that more than 2,000 people die from so-called economy class syndrome in Britain every year.

Doctors at Ashford Hospital in Surrey, whose accident and emergency department is closest to Heathrow Airport, have dealt with 30 air passengers in the past three years killed by deep vein thrombosis, a condition linked to cramped airline seats, The Daily Telegraph said yesterday.

One-third of the patients, who were aged between 28 and their late 70s, had flown to Heathrow from Australia in economy class seats.

East Surrey hospital, near Gatwick Airport, had eight deaths and 100 cases of DVT last year.

But the doctors believe that is just the tip of the iceberg, believing that more than 2,000 people die from DVT every year in Britain.

I'm a bit surprised that there is still no similar action in the US which is the world's most litigious country and also well known for massive compensation awards.

If there is a chance of making money out of it, they will come to it.

I hope the outcome in the end will be more space in eco. Even at a higher price.

Or if the problem continues a few more years, less crowded economy class will result!!

Originally posted by gercohen:
Or if the problem continues a few more years, less crowded economy class will result!!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

It's a LONG way from "a new study" and "doctors believe" to proving causality.

Bloomberg todays states:
http://www.bloomberg.com

Australian Doctor Says Athletes Had Flight Thrombosis (Update1)
By Nick Wells


Brisbane, Australia, Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) -- An Australian doctor said he treated three British Olympic athletes for so- called ``economy class syndrome'' after a long-haul flight to Australia.

Vascular surgeon David Grosser said the athletes, who he didn't name, were treated for deep vein thrombosis shortly after arriving in the country for the Sydney Olympics last September. The fact that young, fit athletes can be susceptible underscores the risk of long-haul air travel, he said.

``It is time we get together with the international medical profession and the international airlines and make a proper study of this,'' Grosser said. ``People don't want to know about it. They are worried about the airline shares. I think the shares will be at risk if they do nothing.''

Deep vein thrombosis is the creation of blood clots, usually beginning in the leg. The clots are life-threatening because they have the potential to lodge in vital organs.

There is no proof that the conditions on long-haul flights cause DVT, though it is accepted that cramped seating conditions make it difficult for blood in the legs to flow properly, increasing the chances of a clot.

Economy class syndrome, though, is a misnomer, as the risk of potentially fatal blood clots while flying for long periods applies across airline classes.

High Risk

Travelers' thrombosis can occur in anyone sitting still for more than a few hours in a bus, car or aircraft, doctors said. Those particularly at risk include people over 40, those who have a previous history of embolism, people who are tall or short, or who have suffered from cancer or heart failure, pregnant women and people who have undergone surgery, or are obese.

The syndrome attracted international attention in October last year when an apparently fit and healthy 28-year old woman died of a blood clot after a 20-hour, 17,162 kilometer (10,666 mile) flight from Sydney to London.

Grosser said he'd been aware of the problem since the 1970s. The increasing number of reported cases was likely because of technological advances in diagnosing DVT.

British Airways Plc, Europe's biggest airline, has put health warnings on tickets, advising passengers of the dangers of thrombosis. The company's Web site has advice on how to limit the risks.

Qantas Airways Ltd. and Air New Zealand Ltd., the largest airlines in Australia and New Zealand, also plan additional passenger warnings, including statements on their tickets and in- flight videos.

Two Britons are suing BA and Airtours Plc, the U.K.'s No. 2 travel company, after suffering blood clots on long-haul flights, the Evening Standard newspaper reported this week, citing the lawyer for the pair.

In Australia, more than 900 people are claiming compensation from at least 20 international airlines for thrombosis, likely to include Air Canada, Qantas, BA, Air France, Air New Zealand and others making long-haul flights to the country.

Actually, young athletes on a regimen - esp. endurance athletes who are training - are at higher risk for deep-vein thrombosis. I've even heard of cyclists and runners waking in the middle of the night to move around in order to prevent thrombosis. This is a condition related to blood clots, and all types of people have differing susceptibilities based on lifestyle.