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Carvalho CJ, Dalton AL, Boothroyd D, Urech TH, Vashi AA. Emergency Department Use Among Combat and Non-Combat Post-9/11 Military Veterans. Mil Med 2024:usae155. [PMID: 38613450 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most post-9/11 Veterans have completed at least 1 combat deployment-a known factor associated with adverse health outcomes. Such Veterans are known to have unmet health care needs, and the emergency department (ED) may serve as a safety net, yet little is known about whether combat status is associated with more frequent ED use. We sought to evaluate the relationship between combat status and frequency of ED use among post-9/11 Veterans and assess the most common reasons for ED visits. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study consisted of post-9/11 Veterans who enrolled in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care between fiscal years (FYs) 2005 and 2015. Data were obtained from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse. Incidence rates for ED visits for combat and non-combat Veterans were compared from FY 2010 to 2019 using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. The most frequent reasons for ED visits were determined using International Classification of Diseases codes. This study was approved by the Stanford Institutional Review Board. RESULTS Among 1.3 million Veterans included in analyses, 70.4% had deployed to a combat zone. The mean (SD) age of our cohort was 32.6 (5.0) years and 83.5% of Veterans were male. After controlling for other factors, combat Veterans had 1.84 times the rate of ED visits compared to non-combat Veterans (95% CI, 1.83-1.85). Only combat Veterans had a mental health-related ED visit (suicidal ideations) among the top 3 reasons for ED presentation. CONCLUSIONS Those who deployed to a combat zone had a significantly higher rate of ED use compared to those who did not. Further, mental health-related ED diagnoses appeared to be more prevalent in combat Veterans. These findings highlight the unique health care needs faced by combat Veterans and emphasize the importance of tailored interventions and support services for this specific population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Carvalho
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aaron L Dalton
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Derek Boothroyd
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Tracy H Urech
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Anita A Vashi
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Affiliated), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
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Pavlacic JM, Witcraft SM, Allan NP, Gros DF. Anxiety sensitivity and social support in veterans with emotional disorders. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:2337-2350. [PMID: 37310172 PMCID: PMC10527913 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An understanding of the incremental value of social support in predicting psychopathology above transdiagnostic risk factors could speak to the benefit of leveraging social factors into existing, evidence-based interventions in veterans with emotional disorders. This cross-sectional study aimed to expand our understanding of associations between domains of anxiety sensitivity and facets of psychopathology in veterans with emotional disorders. We also determined whether social support predicted psychopathology above anxiety sensitivity domains and combat exposure and explored these relationships with a path model. METHODS One hundred and fifty-six treatment-seeking veterans with emotional disorders completed diagnostic interviews and assessments of demographics, social support, symptom measures (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress), and transdiagnostic risk factors (i.e., anxiety sensitivity). After data screening, 150 were included in regressions. RESULTS Using regression analyses with cross-sectional data, cognitive anxiety sensitivity concerns predicted PTSD and depression above combat exposure. Cognitive and physical concerns predicted anxiety, and cognitive and social concerns predicted stress. Above combat exposure and anxiety sensitivity, social support predicted PTSD and depression. CONCLUSION Focusing on social support in tandem with transdiagnostic mechanisms in clinical samples is critical. These findings inform transdiagnostic interventions and recommendations related to incorporation of assessment of transdiagnostic factors in clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Pavlacic
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson, VA Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychology & Behavioral, Sciences, Medical University of South, Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sara M. Witcraft
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas P. Allan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral, Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Suicide, Prevention, VA Finger Lakes Healthcare, System, Canandaigua, New York, USA
| | - Daniel F. Gros
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson, VA Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychology & Behavioral, Sciences, Medical University of South, Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Edwards AC, Ohlsson H, Barr PB, Sundquist J, Kendler KS, Sundquist K. Military service and risk of subsequent drug use disorders among Swedish men. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1039-1048. [PMID: 36680575 PMCID: PMC10916707 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02426-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Environmental factors contribute substantially to risk for drug use disorders (DUD). The current study applies multiple methods to empirically test whether military service is associated with subsequent DUD, as previous findings are inconsistent. METHODS Longitudinal Swedish national registry data on a cohort of male conscripts born 1972-1987 (maximum N = 485,900) were used to test the association between military service and subsequent registration for DUD. Cox proportional hazard models were used in preliminary analyses, followed by three methods that enable causal inference: propensity score models, co-relative models, and instrumental variable analysis. RESULTS Across all methods, military service was causally associated with lower risk of DUD. Hazard ratios ranged from HR = 0.43 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.37; 0.50) in the instrumental variable analysis to 0.77 (0.75; 0.79) in the multivariate propensity score matching analysis. This effect diminished across time. In the model including a propensity score, HRs remained below 1 across the observation period, while confidence intervals included 1 after ~ 11 years in the co-relative analysis and after ~ 21 years in the instrumental variable analysis. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of Swedish men, complementary methods indicate that military service conferred substantial but time-limited protection against subsequent DUD. The observed effect could be due to reduced opportunity for substance use during service, social cohesion experienced during and after service, and/or socioeconomic advantages among veterans. Additional research is necessary to clarify these protective mechanisms and determine how other environmental contexts can provide similar benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis C Edwards
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Box 980126, RichmondRichmond, VA, 23298-0126, USA.
| | - Henrik Ohlsson
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter B Barr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York-Downstate, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kendler
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Box 980126, RichmondRichmond, VA, 23298-0126, USA
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Barczak-Scarboro NE, Hernández LM, Taylor MK. Military Exposures Predict Mental Health Symptoms in Explosives Personnel but Not Always as Expected. Mil Med 2023; 188:e646-e652. [PMID: 34520546 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the unique and combined associations of various military stress exposures with positive and negative mental health symptoms in active duty service members. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated 87 male U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians (age M ± SE, range 33.7 ± 0.6, 22-47 years). Those who endorsed a positive traumatic brain injury diagnosis were excluded to eliminate the confounding effects on mental health symptoms. Using a survey platform on a computer tablet, EOD technicians self-reported combat exposure, deployment frequency (total number of deployments), blast exposure (vehicle crash/blast or 50-m blast involvement), depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, perceived stress, and life satisfaction during an in-person laboratory session. RESULTS When controlling for other military stressors, EOD technicians with previous involvement in a vehicle crash/blast endorsed worse mental health than their nonexposed counterparts. The interactions of vehicle crash/blast with deployment frequency and combat exposure had moderate effect sizes, and combat and deployment exposures demonstrated protective, rather than catalytic, effects on negative mental health scores. CONCLUSIONS Military stressors may adversely influence self-reported symptoms of negative mental health, but deployment experience and combat exposure may confer stress inoculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki E Barczak-Scarboro
- Leidos Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Lisa M Hernández
- Leidos Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Marcus K Taylor
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
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Kelber MS, Morgan MA, Beech EH, Smolenski DJ, Bellanti D, Galloway L, Ojha S, Otto JL, Wilson ALG, Bush N, Belsher BE. Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of adjustment disorders in adults. J Affect Disord 2022; 304:43-58. [PMID: 35176345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of adjustment disorder is common in clinical practice, yet there is lack of research on the etiology and epidemiology of adjustment disorders. The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate predictors of adjustment disorders in adults. METHODS We conducted systematic searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. We included 70 studies that examined thirteen theoretically-derived and predefined predictors of adjustment disorders with a total of 3,449,374 participants. RESULTS We found that female gender, younger age, unemployed status, stress, physical illness and injury, low social support, and a history of mental health disorders predicted adjustment disorders. Most of these predictors differentiated individuals with adjustment disorders from individuals with no mental health disorders. Participants with adjustment disorders were more likely to have experienced accidents than were those with posttraumatic stress disorder but were less likely to have experienced assaults and abuse, neglect, and maltreatment. More research is needed to identify factors that differentiate adjustment disorders from other mental health disorders. LIMITATIONS Because very few studies adjusted for confounders (e.g., demographic variables, mental health histories, and a variety of stressors), it was not possible to identify independent associations between predictors and adjustment disorders. CONCLUSIONS We identified a number of factors that predicted adjustment disorders compared to no mental health diagnosis. The majority of studies were rated as moderate or high in risk of bias, suggesting that more rigorous research is needed to confirm the relationships we detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Spanovic Kelber
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA.
| | - Maria A Morgan
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Erin H Beech
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Derek J Smolenski
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Dawn Bellanti
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Lindsay Galloway
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Suman Ojha
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Jean Lin Otto
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Abigail L Garvey Wilson
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nigel Bush
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA
| | - Bradley E Belsher
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, VA, USA; Carl T Hayden Veterans Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Adjustment Disorder in U.S. Service Members: Factors Associated With Early Separation. Mil Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Adjustment disorder (AD) is a time-delimited disorder characterized by excessive emotional distress or impaired functioning in response to an identifiable stressor. Although it is commonly diagnosed in mental health settings, its impact on occupational, social and other areas of functioning is not well understood. As a subthreshold disorder that is frequently diagnosed in conjunction with other physical and mental health disorders, the extent of its contribution to functional impairment may be obscured. During military service, research suggests AD is frequently diagnosed in early-service trainees. To help elucidate the relationship between AD and functional outcome, we explored 2 factors that may be associated with the rate of separation from service in U.S. active duty service members (SMs) with an AD diagnosis: previous mental health diagnoses and time in service when SMs receive an incident AD diagnosis (IADx).
Materials and Methods
Twenty-thousand SMs with an IADx were grouped by whether or not this was their first mental health diagnosis received in the military. To assess functional impairment, the 2 groups were compared on rate of separation. Those without prior diagnoses were then stratified into 5 groups based on length of time from military entrance to receipt of IADx and were further analyzed for separation rates. The Cox model was used to determine hazard ratios and create survival curves. The study was determined to be “not human subjects research.”
Results
Nearly half (46.4%) of SMs with an IADx previously had received a mental health diagnosis and had an increased risk of separation [hazard ratio = 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.207-1.286)]. Of SMs with IADx as their first diagnosis, 19.3% were diagnosed during the first 6 months of service and had the highest risk of separating [hazard ratio = 1.48 (1.381-1.589)], with a 60% probability of separating within 2 years of diagnosis. Those receiving it during the second 6 months of service (16.2%), second year (20.1%), or third year (18.2%) had approximately a 47% probability of separating within 2 years.
Conclusions
Previous mental health diagnoses and time in service when diagnosed appear to be important factors associated with functional impairment for SMs with AD. Nearly half of those with an IADx had previously received diagnoses for mood, anxiety, and other disorders and were at higher risk of separation following IADx. Our findings are based on diagnoses entered in electronic health records, so we cannot identify the nature of the stressor that precipitated AD. Nonetheless, early IADx predicted the fastest rate of separation, and it may be an opportune time for interventions to reduce its impact on functional outcomes.
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