title: Post-deployment injury among new combat veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine prevalence and potential risk factors for post-deployment injury among Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. A national, stratified sample of Iraq/Afghanistan combat Veteran VA users was surveyed in 2008. Mental and physical health, including medically-treated injuries sustained since deployment, were self-reported. Injury risk was estimated using survey logistic regression. Stratified ORs and 95% CIs were adjusted for potential confounders and non-response bias and weighted to represent the target population. Nearly half the population reported post-deployment injuries. In multivariate models, veterans with probable post-traumatic stress disorder (OR=2.1; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.5), self-reported diagnosed depression (OR=3.6; 95% CI 1.8 to 7.0) and anger problems (OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.4 to 4.2) had greater odds of post-deployment injury. Deployment-related injuries were also strongly associated with odds of post-deployment injury. Results suggest that mental health disorders increase the odds of post-deployment injury among combat veteran VA users. Longitudinal research examining these associations is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Portland Center for the Study of Chronic, Comorbid Mental and Physical Disorders, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. kathleen.carlson@va.gov
authors.forename: Kathleen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gravely
authors.forename: Siamak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noorbaloochi
authors.forename: Alisha Baines
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Ann K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bangerter
authors.forename: Nina A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult