title: A retrospective cohort study of military deployment and postdeployment medical encounters for respiratory conditions.
abstract: Deployed military personnel are exposed to inhalational hazards that may increase their risk of chronic lung conditions. This evaluation assessed associations between Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment and postdeployment medical encounters for respiratory symptoms and medical conditions. This retrospective cohort study was conducted among military personnel who, between January 2005 and June 2007, were deployed to either of two locations with burn pits in Iraq, or to either of two locations without burn pits in Kuwait. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using two nondeployed reference groups. Rates among personnel deployed to burn pit locations were also compared directly to those among personnel deployed to locations without burn pits. Significantly elevated rates of encounters for respiratory symptoms (IRR = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.30) and asthma (IRR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.33-1.78) were observed among the formerly deployed personnel relative to U.S.-stationed personnel. Personnel deployed to burn pit locations did not have significantly elevated rates for any of the outcomes relative to personnel deployed to locations without burn pits. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that OIF deployment is associated with subsequent risk of respiratory conditions. Elevated medical encounter rates were not uniquely associated with burn pits.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21010.
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eick-Cost
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Leslie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21010.
authors.forename: Coleen P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: DeFraites
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tobler
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21010.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sharkey
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lipnick
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 11800 Tech Road Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult