A Retrospective Cohort Study of Military Deployment and Postdeployment Medical Encounters for Respiratory Conditions

Joseph H. Abraham; Angie Eick-Cost; Leslie L. Clark; Zheng Hu; Coleen P. Baird; Robert Defraites; Steven K. Tobler; Erin E. Richards; Jessica M. Sharkey; Robert J. Lipnick; Sharon L. Ludwig

doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00443

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Military Deployment and Postdeployment Medical Encounters for Respiratory Conditions

Joseph H. Abraham, Angie Eick-Cost, Leslie L. Clark, Zheng Hu, Coleen P. Baird, Robert Defraites, Steven K. Tobler, Erin E. Richards, Jessica M. Sharkey, Robert J. Lipnick, Sharon L. Ludwig

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

53 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	540-546
Number of pages	7
Journal	Military Medicine
Volume	179
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00443
State	Published - 1 May 2014
Externally published	Yes

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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.",

author = "Abraham, {Joseph H.} and Angie Eick-Cost and Clark, {Leslie L.} and Zheng Hu and Baird, {Coleen P.} and Robert Defraites and Tobler, {Steven K.} and Richards, {Erin E.} and Sharkey, {Jessica M.} and Lipnick, {Robert J.} and Ludwig, {Sharon L.}",

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AU - Hu, Zheng

AU - Baird, Coleen P.

AU - Defraites, Robert

AU - Tobler, Steven K.

AU - Richards, Erin E.

AU - Sharkey, Jessica M.

AU - Lipnick, Robert J.

AU - Ludwig, Sharon L.

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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A Retrospective Cohort Study of Military Deployment and Postdeployment Medical Encounters for Respiratory Conditions

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