The war-related illness and injury study centers: a resource for deployment-related health concerns.
Combat veterans often return from deployment having experienced a wide range of exposures, symptoms, and medical conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs established war-related illness and injury study centers to serve combat veterans with unexplained illnesses. We report the exposures, clinical status, and utilization of 53 combat veterans who participated in the National Referral Program (NRP) from January 2002 until March 2004. Participants were primarily male (81%) and served in the Persian Gulf War (79%). Common diagnoses were chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 23, 43%), neurotic depression (n = 21, 40%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 20, 38%). Self-reported exposures related to weaponry, disease prophylaxis, environmental hazards, stress, and poor hygiene. A small increase in mean SF-36V mental component scores (2.8 points, p = 0.009) and use of rehabilitation therapies (1.6 additional visits, p = 0.018) followed the NRP referral. The small gain in mental function suggests that the NRP may benefit combat veterans with long and complex medical histories.
Lincoln
Andrew E
AE
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422, USA.
Helmer
Drew A
DA
Schneiderman
Aaron I
AI
Li
Mian
M
Copeland
H Liesel
HL
Prisco
Michelle K
MK
Wallin
Mitchell T
MT
Kang
Han K
HK
Natelson
Benjamin H
BH
D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D047830:Gulf War; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation