Pilots flying with insulin-treated diabetes

People with diabetes treated with insulin have often faced blanket bans from safety-critical occupations, largely because of fear of incapacitation due to hypoglycaemia. Recent advances in insulin therapies, modes of administration, monitoring, and noninvasive monitoring techniques have allowed stereotypical views to be challenged. The aviation sector has led the way, in allowing pilots to fly while on insulin. Recently, countries that have traditionally been opposed to this have changed their minds, largely due to the increasing evidence of safety. The purpose of this review was to gather all available information to update clinicans. The physiology and pathophysiology underpinning glucose regulation and the management of diabetes in the air allowing certain insulin-treated pilots to fly are discussed.

Automated summary

In the past, people with diabetes treated with insulin have often been banned from safety-critical occupations due to fear of incapacitation from hypoglycemia. However, recent advances in insulin therapies and monitoring techniques have challenged these stereotypes. The aviation sector has paved the way for allowing pilots to fly while on insulin, and more countries are changing their minds due to increasing evidence of safety.