Study
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE:
We determine the incidence of clinically significant findings within mandatory screening studies during medical clearance of patients for psychiatric care.
METHODS:
This is a retrospective review of emergency department patients medically cleared for psychiatric care over 11 months. All patients evaluated for behavioral health-related issues are recorded on a daily report which was used to locate subjects. Laboratory studies were reviewed during that visit for the presence of abnormalities. If abnormalities were noted, the individual chart was reviewed. Our primary outcome was the incidence of clinically significant findings that warranted admission to a medical or surgical unit.
RESULTS:
204 psychiatric patient reports were reviewed. 191 of these patients had screening studies performed. Seven patients were admitted to a nonpsychiatric unit. These admissions were all for elevated ethanol levels. These patients were admitted until their ethanol level decreased, and then transferred to a psychiatric facility. The total screening lab cost during this study period was $27,893.
CONCLUSIONS:
Routine screening has limited utility in this population and comes at significant cost. Further research should be directed to determine which patients may benefit from screening studies.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Undetermined
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
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Citation: Schauer SG, Goolsby CA. A Retrospective Review of Screening Labs for Medical Clearance in a Military Population. Mil Med. 2015 Nov;180(11):1128-31.
Study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Preventable diseases like measles and mumps are occurring with increasing frequency in the U.S. despite the availability of an effective vaccine. Given concern that an outbreak may occur among military recruits, we compared serologic evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella among military recruits with known herd immunity thresholds and determined whether the current Department of Defense policy of presuming mumps immunity based on measles and rubella titers is reliable.
METHODS:
Serum antibody levels for measles, mumps, and rubella were obtained from all new recruits upon arrival at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, from 25 April 2013 through 24 April 2014. Seroprevalence of each disease was assessed by age and sex, and concordance between mumps titers and measles and rubella titers was calculated. Data analysis was performed in 2014-2015.
RESULTS:
Among 32,502 recruits, seroprevalences for measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies were 81.6%, 80.3%, and 82.1%, respectively. Of the 22,878 recruits seropositive for both measles and rubella antibodies, 87.7% were also seropositive for mumps.
CONCLUSIONS:
Seroprevalences for measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies among a large cohort of recruits entering U.S. Air Force basic training were generally lower than levels required to maintain herd immunity. In order to reduce the incidence of mumps infections, the Department of Defense should consider obtaining antibody titers for measles, mumps, and rubella and vaccinating all individuals susceptible to one or more of the viruses.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
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Citation: Lewis PE, Burnett DG, Costello AA, Olsen CH, Tchandja JN, Webber BJ. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Titers in Air Force Recruits: Below Herd Immunity Thresholds? Am J Prev Med. 2015 Nov;49(5):757-60.
Study
Abstract
Numerous studies document the health benefits of a physically active lifestyle, but relatively few document the hazards of physical activity. Because of the requirement for physical fitness to complete their mission, the United States military services have a vested interest in understanding the benefits and risks of physical activity including exercise and sports. One of these risks is injury. Rates and proportion of injuries caused by exercise- and sports-related (ESR) activities have not been reported previously across the services.
PURPOSE:
The purposes of this population survey were to (1) document the rates and proportion of all injuries caused by ESR activities among military personnel, (2) compare rates across the military services, and (3) describe the causes and types of ESR injuries as well as associated days of limited activity.
STUDY DESIGN:
Descriptive epidemiology study.
METHODS:
The Defense Manpower Data Center administered the web-based 2008 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Service Members to a random sample of active-duty personnel. In all, 10,692 servicemembers completed the survey, which included questions about injuries from any cause and from exercise and sports during the previous year. Responses were weighted to produce population estimates for injury rates (any injury and ESR injury). Percentage distributions were used to describe activities, injury types, days of limited activity, and contributing factors for ESR injuries.
RESULTS:
There were 49% of servicemembers who sustained an injury from any cause in the previous year; 25% had an ESR injury. Thus, 52% of all injuries were ESR injuries. ESR injury rates ranged from 20% for the Navy to 33% for the Marine Corps. Running accounted for 45% of ESR injuries. Forty percent of ESR injuries were sprains and strains. As an indicator of injury severity, 35% of ESR injuries required more than 2 weeks of limited activity.
CONCLUSION:
This study quantified the overall incidence of injuries and the large proportion that are caused by exercise and sports among military personnel, a population of healthy, physically active adults. Prevention strategies should focus on running, weight training, basketball, and football. Recommendations include adherence to evidence-based practices to reduce the occurrence of ESR injuries.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Undetermined
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
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Citation: Hauret KG, Bedno S, Loringer K, Kao TC, Mallon T, Jones BH. Epidemiology of Exercise- and Sports-Related Injuries in a Population of Young, Physically Active Adults: A Survey of Military Servicemembers. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Nov;43(11):2645-53.
Study
Abstract
Throughout history, acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) have disproportionately affected military populations, particularly those in recruit training camps. A similar dynamic can affect non-trainee military settings. When military members are reassigned, they often develop ARIs within the first weeks of their arrivals at their new assignments. To assess the natures and magnitudes of the risks associated with new assignments, this analysis compared the experiences of service members within their first full calendar months at new assignments and during the same months at the same locations 1 year later. The results do not support the hypothesis that ARIs of infectious etiologies consistently occur more frequently soon after arriving at new assignments compared to 1 year later at the same locations. In contrast, during two-thirds of the 117 months considered here, rates of ARIs of presumed allergic etiologies (e.g., allergic rhinitis, asthma) were higher during the first months of new assignments compared to 1 year later. The limitations of the study methodology as well as the possible implications of the findings are discussed.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
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Citation: Brundage JF, et. al.,Rates of acute respiratory illnesses of infectious and allergic etiologies after permanent changes of duty assignments, active component, U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, January 2005-September 2015. MSMR. 2015 Nov;22(11):2-7
Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Undetermined
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
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Citation: Kessler RC, Stein MB, Bliese PD, Bromet EJ, Chiu WT, Cox KL, et.al. Occupational differences in US Army suicide rates. Psychol Med. 2015 Nov;45(15):3293-304.
Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
Some acute enteric infections are associated with the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders, most commonly irritable bowel syndrome but also other functional and organic gastrointestinal sequelae. Clostridium difficile infection has increased in incidence and severity, however, few studies have evaluated functional disorders after this infection.
METHODS:
We evaluated the epidemiology and sequelae of C difficile in the US military population by using the US Department of Defense's Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center Defense Medical Ecounter Database. We then performed a retrospective cohort study of 891 active-duty US military personnel who developed C difficile from 1998 to 2010 and 3231 matched subjects who had not been exposed to C difficile. Subjects were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification codes for C difficile disease.
RESULTS:
C difficile was associated independently with increased rate ratios (RRs) for incident irritable bowel syndrome (RR, 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-12.9), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6), dyspepsia (RR, 3.3; 95%, 1.4-7.7), and constipation (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7). Approximately 14.1% of subjects with C difficile later were identified with one of these functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGDs), compared with 6% of controls. Community- and health care-associated C difficile were associated at similar rates with these sequelae. Patients were at increased risk for FGDs within 3 months of a C difficile episode, with one additional case of FGD developing for every 12 diagnoses of C difficile.
CONCLUSIONS:
The incidence of community- and health care-associated C difficile has increased in the US military population from 1998 through 2010. As for other gastrointestinal infections, C difficile disease is associated with clinically relevant functional sequelae in this military population.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Navy
- Sponsoring Office: Naval Medical Research Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Navy
- Release Date/Publication: November 01, 2015
-
Citation: Gutiérrez RL, Riddle MS, Porter CK. Increased risk of functional gastrointestinal sequelae after Clostridium difficile infection among active duty United States military personnel (1998-2010). Gastroenterology. 2015 Nov;149(6):1408-14.
Study
Abstract
The complete and timely reporting of notifiable medical conditions occurring among U.S. military service members is important for the control of communicable and preventable diseases and injuries. The Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS) was used to identify all hospital and ambulatory care encounters among service members occurring during 2008-2014. Incident encounters with diagnoses of Department of Defense notifiable medical conditions were matched to reportable medical events entered through the Disease Reporting System Internet. Over this time period, the Services reported 47.6% of notifiable hospitalized cases and 57.2% of notifiable ambulatory care cases. Timeliness of reporting improved over the time period with 40.0% of notifiable hospitalized cases reported within 1 week in 2008 and 73.6% in 2014. For ambulatory care cases, 62.3% were reported within 1 week in 2008 and 81.3% in 2014.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Hurt L, Ying S. Completeness and timeliness of reporting of notifiable medical conditions, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2008-2014. MSMR. 2015 Nov;22(11):8-21.
Study
Abstract
Insomnia is one of the most common complaints of US armed service members. Diagnosis and treatment of insomnia in active duty and veteran populations are often complicated by comorbid disorders experienced by military personnel, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi), pharmacologic interventions, and alternative therapies are discussed as relevant to their applications within military populations. Future directions in research are suggested.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Capaldi VF 2nd, Kim JR, Grillakis AA, Taylor MR, York CM. Insomnia in the Military: Application and Effectiveness of Cognitive and Pharmacologic Therapies. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2015 Oct;17(10):85
Study
Abstract
The collection, storage, and distribution of biological materials for research and improving health have been employed for more than a century. Biorepositories have been used to maintain and reallocate these specimens. Historically, the Department of Defense (DoD) has been maintaining biorepositories and using the materials stored to expand our understanding of diseases and for developing medical countermeasures since the Civil War. Other U.S. Government and nongovernmental organizations are also engaged in curating human and other samples for future studies, as are organizations in other countries. The reasons for collection and the possible uses of specimens maintained within repositories have changed with the advent of novel technologies and the genomics discipline. However, over the years, many of the issues faced by repositories have remained largely the same, although of increased importance more recently because of limited funding and enhanced ethical concerns. These issues include what samples to collect; how to collect, transport, and store the samples; legal and ethical matters relating to sample collection and use; durability of analytes of interest in stored specimens; assessing the quality of stored specimens and providing researchers with statements of specimen quality; costs; maintenance and sustainability of the repository; and, implementing and maintaining laboratory quality programs and possibly accreditation. National and international scientific groups are working to identify and define best practices, but universal standards and practices remain challenges for the future. To begin addressing the above issues, the DoD implemented several initiatives, which are described elsewhere in this Military Medicine Supplement. Additionally, staff members working on the issues saw potential value in identifying other biorepository groups and similar work being done by these groups with the expectation of developing lines of communication and, eventually, even collaboration in establishing universal standards and practices. The repositories identified are briefly discussed in this report.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Siwek M. An Overview of Biorepositories-Past, Present, and Future. Mil Med. 2015 Oct;180(10 Suppl):57-66.
Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), a causative agent of enteric fever (typhoid fever), predominately affects populations in developing regions with poor access to clean food and water. In addition, travelers to these regions are at risk of exposure.
METHODS:
We report the epidemiological characteristics of S. Typhi cases among active duty United States military personnel from 1998 to 2011 using data obtained from the Defense Medical Surveillance System. Cases were identified based on International Classification for Disease Ninth Edition - Clinical Modification codes.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 205 cases S. Typhi for an incidence of 1.09 per 100,000 person-years. Cases were on average 31.7 years old, predominately married (n = 129, 62.9 %), Caucasian (n = 142, 69.3 %), male (n = 176, 85.9 %), and had a high school education (n = 101, 49.3 %). Of the identified cases, 122 had received a Typhoid vaccination within 4 years of diagnosis.
CONCLUSION:
This study provides an overview of enteric fever in the United States military. The incidence was similar to the general U.S. population except for increased incidence from 1998 to 2000, perhaps attributable to operational deployments in that period. Given that vaccination is an effective primary prevention measure against typhoid fever, active monitoring of pre-deployment vaccine history is warranted.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Navy
- Sponsoring Office: Naval Medical Research Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Navy
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Sorrell T, Selig DJ, Riddle MS, Porter CK. Typhoid fever cases in the U.S. military. BMC Infect Dis. 2015 Oct 14;15:424.
Study
Abstract
Beginning in 1985, the United States military has consistently maintained repositories of frozen human serum for force health protection reasons. The separate repositories created by the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the startup of their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening programs were fully combined by 1996, along with the Defense Medical Surveillance System, to form the DoD Serum Repository (DoDSR). Currently comprised of 450,000 square feet of storage space at a constant -30 degrees Celsius, the DoDSR, operated by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC), receives approximately 2 million new serum specimens per year as a result of current HIV screening programs and pre- and post-deployment serum collection. Following initial testing for HIV when required, each specimen remains frozen until needed for clinical testing or a public health study, and its physical location is carefully tracked. Certain militarily-relevant research studies occur, though the serum from a specific individual is never allowed to be fully exhausted. AFHSC maintains careful control over the repository, utilizing a scientific review board to determine which requests for serum will be granted. As of 2012, only 0.42% of all of the frozen specimens in the DoDSR had been thawed for any type of use. The addition of new specimen processing capacity and significant changes to policy would be required if more of the specimens were to be used to answer relevant epidemiological, operational, or medical research questions.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Perdue CL, Eick-Cost AA, Rubertone MV. A Brief Description of the Operation of the DoD Serum Repository. Mil Med. 2015 Oct;180(10 Suppl):10-2.
Study
Abstract
The Department of Defense's Joint Pathology Center (JPC) is the world's largest collection of human pathology specimens, comprising some 7.4 million accessions. The biorepository, which began during the Civil War as a collection of materials obtained from medical and surgical procedures performed by Army physicians, houses specimens and associated data obtained for diagnostic purposes. It also holds several collections of specimens from military personnel who shared a common, service-related exposure or medical condition. This article, which is excerpted and adapted from the 2012 Institute of Medicine report "Future Uses of the Department of Defense JPC Biorepository,"1 summarizes information on the repository, its past uses, and the future operational issues and challenges that the JPC faces as it develops a concept of operations that will allow it to move forward as a resource for researchers.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Joint Pathology Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
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Citation: Butler DA, Baker TP. The DoD Joint Pathology Center as a Resource for Researchers. Mil Med. 2015 Oct;180(10 Suppl):85-9.
Study
Abstract
Data examining sexuality and substance use among active duty and military-dependent youth is limited; however, these psychosocial factors have military implications. Adolescents and young adults aged 12-23 were recruited from an active-duty trainee clinic (n = 225) and a military pediatric clinic (n = 223). Active duty participants were more likely to be older, male, White, previous tobacco users, and report a history of sexual activity and less contraception use at their most recent intercourse, compared to the dependent group. Over 10% of all participants indicated attraction to members of the same gender or both genders. In logistic regression analysis, non-White participants were less likely to use contraception compared to White participants. Adolescents and young adults seen in military clinics frequently engage in high-risk behavior. Clinicians who care for military youth should assess their patient's psychosocial history. Further study of this population is warranted to identify factors that may influence risk and resilience.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Air Force
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Klein DA, Adelman WP, Thompson AM, Shoemaker RG, Shen-Gunther J. All Military Adolescents Are Not the Same: Sexuality and Substance Use among Adolescents in the U.S. Military Healthcare System. PLoS One. 2015 Oct 29;10(10):e0141430
Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The circulation of human adenovirus type 21 (HAdV21) in the United States has been documented since the 1960s in association with outbreaks of febrile respiratory illness (FRI) in military boot camps and civilian cases of respiratory disease.
METHODS:
To describe the molecular epidemiology of HAdV21 respiratory infections across the country, 150 clinical respiratory isolates obtained from continuous surveillance of military recruit FRI, and 23 respiratory isolates recovered from pediatric and adult civilian cases of acute respiratory infection were characterized to compile molecular typing data spanning 37 years (1978-2014).
RESULTS:
Restriction enzyme analysis and genomic sequencing identified 2 clusters of closely related genomic variants readily distinguishable from the prototype and designated 21a-like and 21b-like. A-like variants predominated until 1999. A shift to b-like variants was noticeable by 2007 after a 7-year period (2000-2006) of cocirculation of the 2 genome types. US strains are phylogenetically more closely related to European and Asian strains isolated over the last 4 decades than to the Saudi Arabian prototype strain AV-1645 isolated in 1956.
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge of circulating HAdV21 variants and their epidemic behavior will be of significant value to local and global FRI surveillance efforts.
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Undetermined
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Kajon AE, et. al., Molecular Epidemiology of Adenovirus Type 21 Respiratory Strains Isolated From US Military Trainees (1996-2014). J Infect Dis. 2015 Sep 15;212(6):871-80.
Study
Abstract
It is legal to market most naturally occurring substances as dietary supplements in the USA without manufacturers demonstrating they are safe or effective, and an endless variety of ingredients, from esoteric botanicals to unapproved pharmaceuticals, can be found in dietary supplements. Use of certain supplements can pose a risk, but since a robust reporting system does not exist in the USA it is difficult to know which are problematic and the number of adverse events (AE) resulting from their use. Certain populations, including military personnel, are more likely to use dietary supplements than the general population. Approximately 70% of military personnel take dietary supplements while about 50% of civilians do. Service members prefer supplements purported to enhance physical performance such as supposedly natural stimulants, protein and amino acids, and combination products. Since some of these may be problematic, Service members are probably at higher risk of injury than the general population. Ten percent of military populations appear to be taking potentially risky supplements, and the US Department of Defense (DoD) has taken various measures to protect uniformed personnel including education, policy changes, and restricting sales. Actions taken include launching Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS), introducing a High Risk Supplement list, educating health care professionals on reporting AE that might be associated with dietary supplements, recommending policy for reporting AE, and developing an online AE reporting system. OPSS is a DoD-wide effort to educate service members, leaders, health care providers, military families, and retirees on how to safely select supplements
- Publication Status: Published
- Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
- Sponsoring Office: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
- Congressionally Mandated: No
- Funding Source: Undetermined
- Release Date/Publication: October 01, 2015
-
Citation: Deuster PA, Lieberman HR. Protecting military personnel from high risk dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2015 Oct 16.
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