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Wittine LM, Ketchum JM, Silva MA, Hammond FM, Chung JS, Loyo K, Lezama J, Nakase-Richardson R. Mortality Among Veterans Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Administration Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Study. J Neurotrauma 2024. [PMID: 38959125 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2024.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Few studies have examined long-term mortality following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a military population. This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, longitudinal study that examines long-term mortality (up to 10 years) post-TBI, including analyses of life expectancy, causes of death, and risk factors for death in service members and veterans (SM/V) who survived the acute TBI and inpatient rehabilitation. Among 922 participants in the study, the mortality rate was 8.3% following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The mean age of death was 54.5 years, with death occurring on average 3.2 years after injury, and with an average 7-year life expectancy reduction. SM/V with TBI were nearly four times more likely to die compared with the U.S. general population. Leading causes of death were external causes of injury, circulatory disease, and respiratory disorders. Also notable were deaths due to late effects of TBI itself and suicide. Falls were a significant mechanism of injury for those who died. Those who died were also more likely to be older at injury, unemployed, non-active duty status, not currently married, and had longer post-traumatic amnesia, longer rehabilitation stays, worse independence and disability scores at rehabilitation discharge, and a history of mental health issues before injury. These findings indicate that higher disability and less social supportive infrastructure are associated with higher mortality. Our investigation into the vulnerabilities underlying premature mortality and into the major causes of death may help target future prevention, surveillance, and monitoring interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Wittine
- Department of Internal Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
- AdventHealth-Tampa, Pioneer Neurohealth, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Marc A Silva
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Flora M Hammond
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Joyce S Chung
- Rehabilitation Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Karina Loyo
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jose Lezama
- Department of Internal Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Risa Nakase-Richardson
- Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
- Research Service, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Defense Health Agency Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Robles-Vera PI, Molina-Vicenty IL, Borrás-Fernandez IC, Jovet-Toledo G, Motta-Valencia K, Dismuke CE, Pope C, Reyes-Rosario C, Ríos-Padín J. Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics of Hispanic Veteran Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Association to Mortality: A Pilot Study. Mil Med 2024:usae346. [PMID: 39042559 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most common conditions in the military. VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) have a higher mortality rate than Veterans in other VA health care systems in the United States. The main goal of this study was to develop sociodemographic profiles and outline health characteristics of Hispanic patients with TBI treated at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System in a search for potential explanations to account for the higher mortality rate. This study advocates for equity in health services provided for minorities inside the militia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data collected from electronic medical records and VA databases were used to create sociodemographic and health characteristics profiles, in addition to survival models. The population of the study were post 911 Veteran soldiers who had been diagnosed with TBI. Adjusted models were created to provide hazard ratios (HR) for mortality risk. RESULTS Out of the 16,549 files available from all 10 selected VA sites, 526 individuals were identified as treated at the VACHS. Of 526 subjects screened, 39 complied with the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results include: 94.4% male, 48.7% between the ages of 21 and 41 years, 89.7% have depression, 66.7% have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 82.1% receive occupational therapy, 94.9% have severe headaches, 100% suffer from pain, 94.9% have memory problems, and 10.3% have had suicidal thoughts. Over 60% had a first-hand explosion experience, be it just the explosion or with another type of injury. Data showed that 33% of our patients had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 31% had a CT, 15.4% had a SPECT, and 2.6% had PET scan. Significant associations were found between MRIs and speech therapies, and MRIs and total comorbidities. The Cox proportional-hazards model for survival adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and comorbidities shows that VACHS Veterans diagnosed with a TBI had a higher mortality risk rate (HR 1.23 [95% CI 1.10, 1.37]) when compared to the other 9 health centers with the highest percentage of Hispanic Veterans. CONCLUSIONS Since explosions were the most common mechanism of injury, further research is needed into the experiences of Veterans in connection with this specific variable. A high percentage of the patients suffered from depression and PTSD. Additionally, over half of the patients had an unmeasured TBI severity. The effects these aspects have on symptomatology and how they hinder the recovery process in Hispanic patients should be examined in further detail. It is also important to highlight that family and friends' support could be key for injury treatment. This study highlights the use of the 4 types of scans (MRI, CT, PET/CT, and SPECT/CT) as ideal diagnosis tools. The alarming number of patients with suicidal thoughts should be a focus in upcoming studies. Future studies should aim to determine whether increased death rates in TBI Veterans can be linked to other United States islander territories. Concepts, such as language barriers, equal resource allocation, and the experiences of Veterans with TBIs should be further explored in this Veteran population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola I Robles-Vera
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Section, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
- Biology Department, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00925, USA
| | - Irma L Molina-Vicenty
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Section, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
- Biology Department, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00925, USA
- Student Mentorship Program for Hispanic Health Research (sMPH2r), Hispanic -Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS), Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Isabel C Borrás-Fernandez
- Student Mentorship Program for Hispanic Health Research (sMPH2r), Hispanic -Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS), Washington, DC 20005, USA
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
| | - Gerardo Jovet-Toledo
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Section, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
| | - Keryl Motta-Valencia
- Student Mentorship Program for Hispanic Health Research (sMPH2r), Hispanic -Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS), Washington, DC 20005, USA
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
| | - Clara E Dismuke
- Student Mentorship Program for Hispanic Health Research (sMPH2r), Hispanic -Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS), Washington, DC 20005, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, COIN: Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC) Charleston SC, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA 94025, USA
| | - Charlene Pope
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, COIN: Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC) Charleston SC, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - Coral Reyes-Rosario
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Section, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
- Biology Department, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00925, USA
- Student Mentorship Program for Hispanic Health Research (sMPH2r), Hispanic -Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS), Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - José Ríos-Padín
- VA Caribbean Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Section, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
- Biology Department, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR 00925, USA
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Tantillo GB, Sullivan-Baca E, Rehman R, López MR, Haneef Z. Health care utilization of Hispanic/Latino veterans with epilepsy: A national population-based study. Epilepsia 2024; 65:1668-1678. [PMID: 38557951 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hispanic/Latino people with epilepsy are a growing population that has been understudied in clinical epilepsy research. U.S. veterans are at a higher risk of epilepsy due to greater exposures including traumatic brain injury. Hispanic/Latino Veterans with Epilepsy (HL-VWEs) represent a growing population; however the treatment utilization patterns of this population have been vastly understudied. METHODS HL-VWE were identified from administrative databases during fiscal year 2019. Variables compared between Hispanic and non-Hispanic VWEs included demographics, rurality, service era, utilization of clinical services/investigations, and service-connected injury. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS Among 56 556 VWEs, 3247 (5.7%) were HL. HL-VWEs were younger (59.2 vs 63.2 years; p < .01) and more commonly urban-dwelling (81.6% vs 63.2%, p < .01) compared to non-HL-VWEs. They were also more likely to have served in recent missions such as the Persian Gulf War and post- 9/11 wars (p < .01). HL-VWEs had a higher utilization of all neurology services examined including neurology clinic visits, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, electroencephalography (EEG), epilepsy monitoring, and comprehensive epilepsy care (p < .01 for all). HL-VWEs were more likely to visit an emergency room or have seizure-related hospitalizations (p < .01). HL-VWEs were more likely to have a service-connected disability greater or equal to 50% (p < .01). SIGNIFICANCE This study is one of the largest cohorts examining HL-VWEs. We found higher utilization of services in neurology, epilepsy, and neuroimaging by HL-VWEs. HL-VWE are younger, more commonly urban-dwelling, and more likely to have served during recent combat periods and have higher amounts of service-connected disability. Given that the proportion of Hispanic veterans is projected to rise over time, more research is needed to provide the best interventions and mitigate the long-term impact of epilepsy on this diverse patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin Sullivan-Baca
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Houston VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rizwana Rehman
- Veterans' Administration Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (VA ECoE), Washington DC, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - María Raquel López
- Veterans' Administration Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (VA ECoE), Washington DC, USA
- University of Miami Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Zulfi Haneef
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Houston VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Veterans' Administration Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (VA ECoE), Washington DC, USA
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Dismuke-Greer C, Esmaeili A, Ozieh MN, Gujral K, Garcia C, Del Negro A, Davis B, Egede L. Racial/Ethnic and Geographic Disparities in Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury-Renal Failure in US Veterans and Associated Veterans Affairs Resource Costs, 2000-2020. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:652-668. [PMID: 36864369 PMCID: PMC10474245 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Studies have identified disparities by race/ethnicity and geographic status among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and renal failure (RF). We examined the association of race/ethnicity and geographic status with RF onset in veterans with and without TBI, and the impact of disparities on Veterans Health Administration resource costs. METHODS Demographics by TBI and RF status were assessed. We estimated Cox proportional hazards models for progression to RF and generalized estimating equations for inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy cost annually and time since TBI + RF diagnosis, stratified by age. RESULTS Among 596,189 veterans, veterans with TBI progressed faster to RF than those without TBI (HR 1.96). Non-Hispanic Black veterans (HR 1.41) and those in US territories (HR 1.71) progressed faster to RF relative to non-Hispanic Whites and those in urban mainland areas. Non-Hispanic Blacks (-$5,180), Hispanic/Latinos ($-4,984), and veterans in US territories (-$3,740) received fewer annual total VA resources. This was true for all Hispanic/Latinos, while only significant for non-Hispanic Black and US territory veterans < 65 years. For veterans with TBI + RF, higher total resource costs only occurred ≥ 10 years after TBI + RF diagnosis ($32,361), independent of age. Hispanic/Latino veterans ≥ 65 years received $8,248 less than non-Hispanic Whites and veterans living in US territories < 65 years received $37,514 less relative to urban veterans. CONCLUSION Concerted efforts to address RF progression in veterans with TBI, especially in non-Hispanic Blacks and those in US territories, are needed. Importantly, culturally appropriate interventions to improve access to care for these groups should be a priority of the Department of Veterans Affairs priority for these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Dismuke-Greer
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, 152 MPD, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, 152 MPD, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Mukoso N Ozieh
- Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS), Division of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kritee Gujral
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, 152 MPD, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Carla Garcia
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, 152 MPD, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Boyd Davis
- Department of English Emerita, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Leonard Egede
- Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS), Division of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Liou-Johnson V, Merced K, Klyce DW, Agtarap S, Finn JA, Chung JS, Campbell T, Harris OA, Perrin PB. Exploring racial/ethnic disparities in rehabilitation outcomes after TBI: A veterans affairs model systems study. NeuroRehabilitation 2023; 52:451-462. [PMID: 36806517 DOI: 10.3233/nre-220225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost one-third of the U.S. military population is comprised of service members and veterans (SMVs) of color. Research suggests poorer functional and psychosocial outcomes among Black and Hispanic/Latine vs. White civilians following traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE This study examined racial/ethnic differences in 5-year functional independence and life satisfaction trajectories among SMVs who had undergone acute rehabilitation at one of five VA TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs). METHODS Differences in demographic and injury-related factors were assessed during acute rehabilitation among White (n = 663), Black (n = 89) and Hispanic/Latine (n = 124) groups. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Motor, FIM Cognitive, and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) scores were collected at 1, 2, and 5 years after injury. Racial/ethnic comparisons in these outcome trajectories were made using hierarchical linear modeling. RESULTS Black SMVs were less likely than White and Hispanic/Latine SMVs to have been deployed to a combat zone; there were no other racial/ethnic differences in any demographic or injury-related variable assessed. In terms of outcomes, no racial/ethnic differences emerged in FIM Motor, FIM cognitive, or SWLS trajectories. CONCLUSION The absence of observable racial/ethnic differences in 5-year outcome trajectories after TBI among SMVs from VA TBIMS PRCs contrasts sharply with previous research identifying disparities in these same outcomes and throughout the larger VA health care system. Individuals enrolled in VA PRCs are likely homogenized on key social determinants of health that would otherwise contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in outcome trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Liou-Johnson
- Polytrauma Department, VA Palo Alto Healthcare Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kritzia Merced
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Daniel W Klyce
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Common wealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Sheltering Arms Institute, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Jacob A Finn
- Rehabilitation and Extended Care, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joyce S Chung
- Rehabilitation Department, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Campbell
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Odette A Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Rehabilitation Department, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, PaloAlto, CA, USA
| | - Paul B Perrin
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, School of Data Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Young M, Peterson AH. Neuroethics across the Disorders of Consciousness Care Continuum. Semin Neurol 2022; 42:375-392. [PMID: 35738293 DOI: 10.1055/a-1883-0701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Cifu DX. Clinical research findings from the long-term impact of military-relevant brain injury consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (LIMBIC-CENC) 2013-2021. Brain Inj 2022; 36:587-597. [PMID: 35080997 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2033843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This is a summary of the published research from the 14 observational, longitudinal and big-data, epidemiological studies supported by the LIMBIC-CENC program from 2013-2021 examining the long-term effects of combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI). Findings from these 43 primary and secondary analyses include: 1) unique fluid, advanced neuroimaging and electrophysiologic biomarkers associated with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), number of mTBIs and related dysfunction, 2) increases in a range of chronic difficulties, including neurosensory, sleep, pain, cognitive deficits, behavioral disorders, overall symptom burden, healthcare costs and service-connected disability, associated with mTBI, all-severity traumatic brain injury (TBI), blast exposure, and number of mTBIs, and 3) increases in the risk for suicide and neurodegeneration, including dementia and Parkinson's disease, associated with mTBI and all-severity TBI. Ongoing LIMBIC-CENC longitudinal and epidemiologic research will clarify, confirm and expand upon these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David X Cifu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
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