Population attributable fractions of psychiatric disorders and behavioral outcomes associated with combat exposure among US men.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the percentage of adverse outcomes in US men attributable to combat exposure.


METHODS
Standardized psychiatric interviews (modified Diagnostic Interview Schedule and Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessments) were administered to a representative national sample of 2583 men aged 18 to 54 in the National Comorbidity Survey part II subsample.


RESULTS
Adjusted attributable fraction estimates indicated that the following were significantly attributable to combat exposure: 27.8% of 12-month posttraumatic stress disorder, 7.4% of 12-month major depressive disorder, 8% of 12-month substance abuse disorder, 11.7% of 12-month job loss, 8.9% of current unemployment, 7.8% of current divorce or separation, and 21% of current spouse or partner abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
Combat exposure results in substantial morbidity lasting decades and accounts for significant and multifarious forms of dysfunction at the national level.
Prigerson
Holly G
HG
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Haven, CT, USA. holly.prigerson@yale.edu
Maciejewski
Paul K
PK
Rosenheck
Robert A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004243:Divorce; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States