Alele, Faith, Malau-Aduli, Bunmi, Malau-Aduli, Aduli, and Crowe, Melissa (2020) A systematic review of the gender differences in the epidemiology and risk factors of exertional heat illness and heat tolerance in the Armed Forces. BMJ Open, 10. e031825.

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Abstract

Objectives: This review aimed to describe the epidemiology of all heat related illnesses in women compared to men in the armed forces and to identify gender-specific risk factors and differences in heat tolerance.

Design: A systematic review of multiple databases (MEDLINE, Emcare, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Informit, and Scopus) was conducted from the inception of the databases to 1 April 2019 using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Eligibility criteria: All relevant studies investigating and comparing heat illness and heat tolerance in women and men in the armed forces were included in the review.

Results: Twenty-four (24) studies were included in the systematic review. The incidence of heat stroke in women ranged from 0.10 to 0.26 per 1000 person-years, while the incidence of heat stroke ranged from 0.22 to 0.48 per 1000 person-years in men. The incidence of other heat illnesses in women compared to men ranged from 1.30 to 2.89 per 1000 person-years vs 0.98 to 1.98 per 1000 person-years. The limited evidence suggests that women had a greater risk of exertional heat illness compared to men. Other gender-specific risk factors were slower run times and body mass index. Although there was a higher proportion of women who were heat intolerant compared to men; this finding needs to be interpreted with caution due to the limited evidence.

Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that men experienced a slightly higher incidence of heat stroke than women in the armed forces. In addition, the limited available evidence suggests that a higher proportion of women were heat intolerant and being a female was associated with a greater risk of exertional heat illnesses. Given the limited evidence available, further research is required to investigate the influence of gender differences on heat intolerance and heat illness.

Item ID:	62423
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2044-6055
Copyright Information:	© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions.
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2020 00:29
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4202 Epidemiology > 420209 Occupational epidemiology @ 35% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320225 Sports medicine @ 30% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320207 Emergency medicine @ 35%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920405 Environmental Health @ 40% 81 DEFENCE > 810102 Army @ 30% 81 DEFENCE > 810101 Air Force @ 30%
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