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Kolaja CA, Belding JN, Boparai SK, Castañeda SF, Geronimo-Hara TR, Powell TM, Tu XM, Walstrom JL, Sheppard BD, Rull RP. Survey response over 15 years of follow-up in the Millennium Cohort Study. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:205. [PMID: 37689640 PMCID: PMC10492282 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-02018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patterns of survey response and the characteristics associated with response over time in longitudinal studies are important to discern for the development of tailored retention efforts aimed at minimizing response bias. The Millennium Cohort Study, the largest and longest running cohort study of military personnel and veterans, is designed to examine the long-term health effects of military service and experiences and thus relies on continued participant survey responses over time. Here, we describe the response rates for follow-up survey data collected over 15 years and identify characteristics associated with follow-up survey response and mode of response (paper vs. web). METHOD Patterns of follow-up survey response and response mode (web, paper, none) were examined among eligible participants (n=198,833), who were initially recruited in four panels from 2001 to 2013 in the Millennium Cohort Study, for a follow-up period of 3-15 years (2004-2016). Military and sociodemographic factors (i.e., enrollment panel, sex, birth year, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, marital status, service component, service branch, pay grade, military occupation, length of service, and time deployed), life experiences and health-related factors (i.e., military deployment/combat experience, life stressors, mental health, physical health, and unhealthy behaviors) were used to examine follow-up response and survey mode over time in multivariable generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS Overall, an average response rate of 60% was observed across all follow-up waves. Factors associated with follow-up survey response over time included increased educational attainment, married status, female sex, older age, military deployment (regardless of combat experience), and higher number of life stressors, mental health issues, and physical health diagnoses. CONCLUSION Despite the challenges associated with collecting multiple waves of follow-up survey data from members of the U.S. military during and after service, the Millennium Cohort Study has maintained a relatively robust response rate over time. The incorporation of tailored messages and outreach to those groups least likely to respond over time may improve retention and thereby increase the representativeness and generalizability of collected survey data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Kolaja
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Jennifer N Belding
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Satbir K Boparai
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sheila F Castañeda
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Toni Rose Geronimo-Hara
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
- Army Resilience Directorate, Headquarters United States Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Xin M Tu
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Walstrom
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Beverly D Sheppard
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Leidos, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rudolph P Rull
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
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Belding JN, Castañeda SF, Jacobson IG, LeardMann CA, Porter B, Powell TM, Kolaja CA, Seelig AD, Matsuno RK, Carey FR, Rivera AC, Trone DW, Sheppard B, Walstrom J, Boyko EJ, Rull RP, For The Millennium Cohort Study Team. The Millennium Cohort Study: The First 20 Years of Research Dedicated to Understanding the Long-Term Health of US Service Members and Veterans. Ann Epidemiol 2021; 67:61-72. [PMID: 34906635 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The Millennium Cohort Study, the US Department of Defense's largest and longest running study, was conceived in 1999 to investigate the effects of military service on service member health and well-being by prospectively following active duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel from all branches during and following military service. In commemoration of the Study's 20th anniversary, this paper provides a summary of its methods, key findings, and future directions. Recruitment and enrollment of the first 5 panels occurred between 2001 and 2021. After completing a baseline survey, participants are requested to complete follow-up surveys every 3 to 5 years. Study research projects are categorized into 3 core portfolio areas (psychological health, physical health, and health-related behaviors) and several cross-cutting areas and have culminated in more than 120 publications to date. For example, some key Study findings include that specific military service-related factors (e.g., experiencing combat, serving in certain occupational subgroups) were associated with adverse health-related outcomes and that unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues may increase following the transition from military service to veteran status. The Study will continue to foster stakeholder relationships such that research findings inform and guide policy initiatives and health promotion efforts.
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Key Words
- Abbreviations
- Army STARRS, Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers
- DoD, Department of Defense
- Millennium Cohort Study, military, veterans, deployment, risk factors, protective factors, physical health, mental health, health-related behaviors, longitudinal cohort
- OEF, Operation Enduring Freedom
- OIF, Operation Iraqi Freedom
- OND, Operation New Dawn
- PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder
- VA, Department of Veterans Affairs
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Belding
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sheila F Castañeda
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Isabel G Jacobson
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Cynthia A LeardMann
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ben Porter
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA; Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Claire A Kolaja
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amber D Seelig
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rayna K Matsuno
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Felicia R Carey
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Anna C Rivera
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Daniel W Trone
- Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Beverly Sheppard
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Walstrom
- Leidos, San Diego, California, USA; Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Edward J Boyko
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rudolph P Rull
- Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA.
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LeardMann CA, McMaster HS, Warner S, Esquivel AP, Porter B, Powell TM, Tu XM, Lee WW, Rull RP, Hoge CW. Comparison of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Instruments From Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition vs Fifth Edition in a Large Cohort of US Military Service Members and Veterans. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e218072. [PMID: 33904913 PMCID: PMC8080232 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.8072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The definition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) changed markedly between the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and DSM-5, creating challenges for studies and in medical settings spanning this transition. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability to compare and assess PTSD, based on DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria, using PTSD Checklists (PCLs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This diagnostic study was conducted with survey data collected in October 2019, from the Millennium Cohort Study, a population-based US military cohort study. The population for the present study was restricted to a subset of initial web responders of the 2019 survey cycle, randomly assigned to 1 of 4 survey groups. EXPOSURES Each group received the DSM-IV and DSM-5 PCL (PCL-Civilian [PCL-C] version and PCL for DSM-5 [PCL-5]). PCL instruments were counterbalanced to control for order effects. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Survey data were used to assess PTSD (using the PCL-C and PCL-5), major depressive disorder (using the Patient Health Questionnaire), generalized anxiety (using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale), and problem drinking (using the Patient Health Questionnaire). Demographic and military characteristics included age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, service branch, pay grade, enrollment panel, and military service status. RESULTS Among the 1921 participants (mean [SD] age, 50.1 [12.5] years), 1358 (70.7%) were men, 1638 (85.3%) were non-Hispanic White individuals, 1440 (75.0%) were married, and 1190 (61.9%) had at least a bachelor's degree; 295 (15.4%) had probable PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria with PCL-C compared with 286 (14.9%) using DSM-5 criteria with PCL-5 (κ = 0.77). There was substantial agreement between PCLs for probable PTSD based on DSM-IV criteria (295 [15.4%] with PCL-C; 316 [16.4%] with PCL-5; κ = 0.80) and DSM-5 criteria (286 [14.9%] with PCL-5; 258 [13.4%] with PCL-C; κ = 0.77). Estimated PTSD sum scores showed excellent agreement with observed scores. Using an established crosswalk, PCL-5 sum scores estimated with the PCL-C were similar to observed PCL-5 scores. Of the 17 corresponding items between the 2 instruments, 16 had substantial agreement. Appending 2 additional PCL-C items to the PCL-5 did not significantly alter estimates. The PCL-C and PCL-5 had nearly identical associations with comorbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this diagnostic study suggest that PTSD can be successfully assessed and compared over time with either PCL instrument in veteran and military populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A. LeardMann
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Hope Seib McMaster
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Steven Warner
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Alejandro P. Esquivel
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Ben Porter
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
- Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville
| | - Teresa M. Powell
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Xin M. Tu
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - William W. Lee
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Rudolph P. Rull
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
| | - Charles W. Hoge
- Center for Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
- Office of the Army Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia
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LeardMann CA, Matsuno RK, Boyko EJ, Powell TM, Reger MA, Hoge CW. Association of Combat Experiences With Suicide Attempts Among Active-Duty US Service Members. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2036065. [PMID: 33528551 PMCID: PMC7856539 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance There is uncertainty about the role that military deployment experiences play in suicide-related outcomes. Most previous research has defined combat experiences broadly, and a limited number of cross-sectional studies have examined the association between specific combat exposure (eg, killing) and suicide-related outcomes. Objective To prospectively examine combat exposures associated with suicide attempts among active-duty US service members while accounting for demographic, military-specific, and mental health factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study analyzed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, an ongoing prospective longitudinal study of US service members from all military branches. Participants were enrolled in 4 phases from July 1, 2001, to April 4, 2013, and completed a self-administered survey at enrollment and every 3 to 5 years thereafter. The population for the present study was restricted to active-duty service members from the first 4 enrollment phases who deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Questionnaire data were linked with medical encounter data through September 30, 2015. Data analyses were conducted from January 10, 2017, to December 14, 2020. Exposures Combat exposure was examined in 3 ways (any combat experience, overall combat severity, and 13 individual combat experiences) using a 13-item self-reported combat measure. Main Outcomes and Measures Suicide attempts were identified from military electronic hospitalization and ambulatory medical encounter data using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Results Among 57 841 participants, 44 062 were men (76.2%) and 42 095 were non-Hispanic White individuals (72.8%), and the mean (SD) age was 26.9 (5.3) years. During a mean (SD) follow-up period of 5.6 (4.0) years, 235 participants had a suicide attempt (0.4%). Combat exposure, defined broadly, was not associated with suicide attempts in Cox proportional hazards time-to-event regression models after adjustments for demographic and military-specific factors; high combat severity and certain individual combat experiences were associated with an increased risk for suicide attempts. However, these associations were mostly accounted for by mental disorders, especially posttraumatic stress disorder. After adjustment for mental disorders, combat experiences with significant association with suicide attempts included being attacked or ambushed (hazard ratio [HR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.16-2.06), seeing dead bodies or human remains (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.78), and being directly responsible for the death of a noncombatant (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04-3.16). Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that deployed service members who experience high levels of combat or are exposed to certain types of combat experiences (involving unexpected events or those that challenge moral or ethical norms) may be at an increased risk of a suicide attempt, either directly or mediated through a mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A. LeardMann
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Rayna K. Matsuno
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Edward J. Boyko
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | - Teresa M. Powell
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Leidos, San Diego, California
| | - Mark A. Reger
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Charles W. Hoge
- Center for Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
- Psychiatry Division, Office of the Army Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia
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Kolaja CA, Porter B, Powell TM, Rull RP. Multiple imputation validation study: addressing unmeasured survey data in a longitudinal design. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:5. [PMID: 33407168 PMCID: PMC7789687 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01158-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Questionnaires used in longitudinal studies may have questions added or removed over time for numerous reasons. Data missing completely at a follow-up survey is a unique issue for longitudinal studies. While such excluded questions lack information at one follow-up survey, they are collected at other follow-up surveys, and covariances observed at other follow-up surveys may allow for the recovery of the missing data. This study utilized data from a large longitudinal cohort study to assess the efficiency and feasibility of using multiple imputation (MI) to recover this type of information. Methods Millennium Cohort Study participants completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) depression module at 2 time points (2004, 2007). The suicidal ideation item in the module was set to missing for the 2007 assessment. Several single-level MI models using different sets of predictors and forms of suicidal ideation were used to compare self-reported values and imputed values for this item in 2007. Additionally, associations with sleep duration and smoking status, which are related constructs, were compared between self-reported and imputed values of suicidal ideation. Results Among 63,028 participants eligible for imputation analysis, 4.05% reported suicidal ideation on the 2007 survey. The imputation models successfully identified suicidal ideation, with a sensitivity ranging between 34 and 66% and a positive predictive value between 36 and 42%. Specificity remained above 96% and negative predictive value above 97% for all imputed models. Similar associations were found for all imputation models on related constructs, though the dichotomous suicidal ideation imputed from the model using only PHQ depression items yielded estimates that were closest with the self-reported associations for all adjusted analyses. Conclusions Although sensitivity and positive predictive value were relatively low, applying MI techniques allowed for inclusion of an otherwise missing variable. Additionally, correlations with related constructs were estimated near self-reported values. Therefore, the other 8 depression items can be used to estimate suicidal ideation that was completely missing from a survey using MI. However, these imputed values should not be used to estimate population prevalence. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12874-020-01158-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Kolaja
- Leidos, Inc, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA. .,Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.
| | - Ben Porter
- Leidos, Inc, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.,Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Leidos, Inc, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.,Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA
| | - Rudolph P Rull
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA
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Porter B, Kolaja CA, Powell TM, Pflieger JC, Stander VA, Armenta RF. Reducing the Length of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. European Journal of Psychological Assessment 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a widely used 12-item measure that assesses perceived social support from three sources: friends, family, and significant others. Previously published psychometric properties indicate that a shorter version of this scale may adequately assess perceived social support and reduce participant burden. The current studies sought to develop such a reduced scale across two studies. Study 1 examined a sample of spouses of US military personnel ( N = 5,436) randomly separated into exploratory and confirmatory samples. In the exploratory sample, we developed a 6-item reduced MSPSS using multidimensional item response theory. In the confirmatory sample, the reduced MSPSS fit the hypothesized structure and was highly correlated with the full MSPSS. Study 2 administered the full and reduced MSPSS separately within a sample of undergraduate students ( N = 188). The reduced MSPSS had high correlations with the full measure ( r = .90) and fit the hypothesized factor structure. Across both studies, correlations with related constructs were similar between the reduced and full MSPSS, demonstrating almost no loss of construct validity. Overall, the reduced MSPSS captured perceived social support with little loss of information. This reduced scale may be useful for minimizing survey length and participant burden.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jacqueline C. Pflieger
- Military Population Health Directorate, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Valerie A. Stander
- Military Population Health Directorate, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard F. Armenta
- Leidos, Inc., Reston, VA, USA
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, Health and Human Services, California State University San Marcos, CA, USA
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Nieh C, Powell TM, Gackstetter GD, Hooper TI. Smoking Among U.S. Service Members Following Transition From Military to Veteran Status. Health Promot Pract 2020; 21:165S-175S. [DOI: 10.1177/1524839919881478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Smoking rates among U.S. Service members and veterans have been consistently higher than in civilian populations. While much has been published about tobacco use in both military and veteran populations, smoking patterns during transition from military to veteran status remains unclear. We studied military members participating in the Millennium Cohort Study, who separated from their respective Services between baseline and first follow-up survey ( N = 5,510). Two generalized estimating equation models were used to examine any association between smoking status and time to military separation (days between baseline survey and separation), as well as smoking during transition and reason for separation. Reason for separation was categorized into three groups: (1) not meeting military standards or judicial-related reasons, (2) drugs-/alcohol-related misconduct, and (3) other types of separation including retirement, pregnancy, and so on. Statistical models accounted for baseline smoking and demographic/military/health behavioral/mental health characteristics. Overall, we observed a decline in smoking prevalence over time (19.5%, 16.7%, 15.2%, and 12.6%, respectively). However, we found a 22% increase in the odds of smoking among those who stayed in the military between 3 months and 1 year, compared to those who stayed 2+ years. Additionally, participants separating for standard/judicial reason(s) showed 69% increased smoking compared to those with other reasons for separation. The time period immediately prior to Service separation and certain types of separation were associated with increased odds of smoking. Thus, smoking cessation interventions should target Service members during this transition period to potentially reduce smoking prevalence after separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiping Nieh
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Tomoko I. Hooper
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Rivera AC, Powell TM, Boyko EJ, Lee RU, Faix DJ, Luxton DD, Rull RP. New-Onset Asthma and Combat Deployment: Findings From the Millennium Cohort Study. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:2136-2144. [PMID: 29893775 PMCID: PMC6166206 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports suggest US military service members who deployed in support of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have higher rates of new-onset asthma than those who did not deploy. However, it is unknown whether combat experiences, in addition to deployment, contribute to new-onset asthma risk. This study aimed to longitudinally determine the risk factors for developing asthma, including combat deployment (categorized as deployed with combat experience, deployed without combat experience, or nondeployed), among participants in the Millennium Cohort Study from 2001 to 2013. A total of 75,770 participants completed a baseline survey and at least 1 triennial follow-up survey on deployment experiences, lifestyle characteristics, and health outcomes. Complementary log-log models stratified by sex were used to estimate the relative risk of developing asthma among participants who reported no history of asthma at baseline. In models with adjustments, those who deployed with combat experience were 24%-30% more likely to develop asthma than those who did not deploy. Deployed personnel without combat experience were not at a higher risk for new-onset asthma compared with nondeployers. Further research is needed to identify specific features of combat that are associated with greater asthma risk to inform prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Rivera
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Teresa M Powell
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Edward J Boyko
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rachel U Lee
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Dennis J Faix
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
| | - David D Luxton
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
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Donoho CJ, Bonanno GA, Porter B, Powell TM. FOUR AUTHORS REPLY. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:1574-1575. [PMID: 29733346 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Donoho
- Department of Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - George A Bonanno
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Ben Porter
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
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Trone DW, Powell TM, Bauer LM, Seelig AD, Peterson AV, Littman AJ, Williams EC, Maynard CC, Bricker JB, Boyko EJ. Smoking and drinking behaviors of military spouses: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Family Study. Addict Behav 2018; 77:121-130. [PMID: 28992577 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The associations between stressful military experiences and tobacco use and alcohol misuse among Service members are well documented. However, little is known about whether stressful military experiences are associated with tobacco use and alcohol misuse among military spouses. METHODS Using 9872 Service member-spouse dyads enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Family Study, we employed logistic regression to estimate the odds of self-reported cigarette smoking, risky drinking, and problem drinking among spouses by Service member deployment status, communication regarding deployment, and stress associated with military-related experiences, while adjusting for demographic, mental health, military experiences, and Service member military characteristics. RESULTS Current cigarette smoking, risky drinking, and problem drinking were reported by 17.2%, 36.3%, and 7.3% of military spouses, respectively. Current deployment was not found to be associated with spousal smoking or drinking behaviors. Communication about deployment experiences with spouses was associated with lower odds of smoking, but not with risky or problem drinking. Spouses bothered by communicated deployment experiences and those who reported feeling very stressed by a combat-related deployment or duty assignment had consistently higher odds of both risky and problem drinking. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that contextual characteristics about the deployment experience, as well as the perceived stress of those experiences, may be more impactful than the simple fact of Service member deployment itself. These results suggest that considering the impact of deployment experiences on military spouses reveals important dimensions of military community adaptation and risk.
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Donoho CJ, Bonanno GA, Porter B, Kearney L, Powell TM. A Decade of War: Prospective Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Deployed US Military Personnel and the Influence of Combat Exposure. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 186:1310-1318. [PMID: 29036483 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder among service members and veterans. The clinical course of PTSD varies between individuals, and patterns of symptom development have yet to be clearly delineated. Previous studies have been limited by convenience sampling, short follow-up periods, and the inability to account for combat-related trauma. To determine the trajectories of PTSD symptoms among deployed military personnel with and without combat exposure, we used data from a population-based representative sample of 8,178 US service members who participated in the Millennium Cohort Study from 2001 to 2011. Using latent growth mixture modeling, trajectories of PTSD symptoms were determined in the total sample, as well as in individuals with and without combat exposure, respectively. Overall, 4 trajectories of PTSD were characterized: resilient, pre-existing, new-onset, and moderate stable. Across all trajectories, combat-deployed service members diverged from non-combat-deployed service members, even after a single deployment. The former also generally had higher PTSD symptoms. Based on the models, nearly 90% of those without combat exposure remained resilient over the 10-year period, compared with 80% of those with combat exposure. Findings demonstrate that although the clinical course of PTSD symptoms shows heterogeneous patterns of development, combat exposure is uniformly associated with poor mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Donoho
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - George A Bonanno
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ben Porter
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
| | - Lauren Kearney
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California
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Seelig AD, Rivera AC, Powell TM, Williams EC, Peterson AV, Littman AJ, Maynard C, Street AE, Bricker JB, Boyko EJ. Patterns of Smoking and Unhealthy Alcohol Use Following Sexual Trauma Among U.S. Service Members. J Trauma Stress 2017; 30:502-511. [PMID: 28906037 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the first known longitudinal study of the topic, we examined whether experiencing sexual assault or sexual harassment while in the military was associated with increased risk for subsequent unhealthy alcohol use and smoking among U.S. service members in the Millennium Cohort Study (2001-2012). Adjusted complementary log-log models were fit to estimate the relative risk of (a) smoking relapse among former smokers (men: n = 4,610; women: n = 1,453); (b) initiation of unhealthy alcohol use (problem drinking and/or drinking over recommended limits) among those with no known history of unhealthy alcohol use (men: n = 8,459; women: n = 4,816); and (c) relapse among those previously reporting unhealthy alcohol use (men: n = 3,487; women: n = 1,318). Men who reported experiencing sexual assault while in the military had sixfold higher risk for smoking relapse: relative risk (RR) = 6.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.34, 18.73], than men who did not. Women who reported experiencing sexual assault while in the military had almost twice the risk for alcohol relapse: RR = 1.73; 95% CI [1.06, 2.83]. There were no other significant associations. These findings suggest that men and women may respond differently following sexual trauma, and support future concerted policy efforts by military leadership to prevent, detect, and intervene on sexual assault.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber D Seelig
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anna C Rivera
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Teresa M Powell
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily C Williams
- Denver-Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research and Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Arthur V Peterson
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alyson J Littman
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Denver-Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research and Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Charles Maynard
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Denver-Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research and Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amy E Street
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan B Bricker
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Edward J Boyko
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Ippolito AC, Seelig AD, Powell TM, Conlin AMS, Crum-Cianflone NF, Lemus H, Sevick CJ, LeardMann CA. Risk Factors Associated with Miscarriage and Impaired Fecundity among United States Servicewomen during the Recent Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Womens Health Issues 2017; 27:356-365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Crum-Cianflone NF, Powell TM, LeardMann CA, Russell DW, Boyko EJ. Mental Health and Comorbidities in U.S. Military Members. Mil Med 2016; 181:537-45. [DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-15-00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Smith TC, Powell TM, Jacobson IG, Smith B, Hooper TI, Boyko EJ, Gackstetter GD. Chronic multisymptom illness: a comparison of Iraq and Afghanistan deployers with veterans of the 1991 Gulf War. Am J Epidemiol 2014; 180:1176-87. [PMID: 25466246 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwu240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Symptoms and illnesses reported by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War era are a cause of potential concern for those military members who have deployed to the Gulf region in support of more recent contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the present study, we quantified self-reported symptoms from participants in the Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective study representing all US service branches, including both active duty and Reserve/National Guard components (2001-2008). Self-reported symptoms were uniquely compared with those in a cohort of subjects from the 1991 Gulf War to gain context for the present report. Symptoms were then aggregated to identify cases of chronic multisymptom illness (CMI) based on the case definition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prevalence of self-reported CMI symptoms was compared with that collected in 1997-1999 from a study population of US Seabees from the 1991 Gulf War, as well as from deployed and nondeployed subgroups. Although overall symptom reporting was much less in the Millennium Cohort than in the 1991 Gulf War cohort, a higher prevalence of reported CMI was noted among deployed compared with nondeployed contemporary cohort members. An increased understanding of coping skills and resilience and development of well-designed screening instruments, along with appropriate clinical and psychological follow-up for returning veterans, might help to focus resources on early identification of potential long-term chronic disease manifestations.
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LeardMann CA, Powell TM, Smith TC, Bell MR, Smith B, Boyko EJ, Hooper TI, Gackstetter GD, Ghamsary M, Hoge CW. Risk factors associated with suicide in current and former US military personnel. JAMA 2013; 310:496-506. [PMID: 23925620 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2013.65164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Beginning in 2005, the incidence of suicide deaths in the US military began to sharply increase. Unique stressors, such as combat deployments, have been assumed to underlie the increasing incidence. Previous military suicide studies, however, have relied on case series and cross-sectional investigations and have not linked data during service with postservice periods. OBJECTIVE To prospectively identify and quantify risk factors associated with suicide in current and former US military personnel including demographic, military, mental health, behavioral, and deployment characteristics. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective longitudinal study with accrual and assessment of participants in 2001, 2004, and 2007. Questionnaire data were linked with the National Death Index and the Department of Defense Medical Mortality Registry through December 31, 2008. Participants were current and former US military personnel from all service branches, including active and Reserve/National Guard, who were included in the Millennium Cohort Study (N = 151,560). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Death by suicide captured by the National Death Index and the Department of Defense Medical Mortality Registry. RESULTS Through the end of 2008, findings were 83 suicides in 707,493 person-years of follow-up (11.73/100,000 person-years [95% CI, 9.21-14.26]). In Cox models adjusted for age and sex, factors significantly associated with increased risk of suicide included male sex, depression, manic-depressive disorder, heavy or binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems. None of the deployment-related factors (combat experience, cumulative days deployed, or number of deployments) were associated with increased suicide risk in any of the models. In multivariable Cox models, individuals with increased risk for suicide were men (hazard ratio [HR], 2.14; 95% CI, 1.17-3.92; P = .01; attributable risk [AR], 3.5 cases/10,000 persons), and those with depression (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.05-3.64; P = .03; AR, 6.9/10,000 persons), manic-depressive disorder (HR, 4.35; 95% CI, 1.56-12.09; P = .005; AR, 35.6/10,000 persons), or alcohol-related problems (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.56-4.18; P <.001; AR, 7.7/10,000 persons). A nested, matched case-control analysis using 20:1 control participants per case confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this sample of current and former military personnel observed July 1, 2001-December 31, 2008, suicide risk was independently associated with male sex and mental disorders but not with military-specific variables. These findings may inform approaches to mitigating suicide risk in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A LeardMann
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California 92106-3521, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Although overweight and obesity are less prevalent among active-duty military personnel compared with similar persons not serving in the military, no such differences have been observed between veterans and non-veterans. OBJECTIVES To assess the magnitude of weight changes before, concurrent with and following discharge from the military, relative to weight during service, and to determine the demographic, service-related and psychological characteristics associated with clinically important weight gain among those who were discharged from military service during follow-up. METHODS Eligible Millennium Cohort Study participants (n=38 686) completed the questionnaires approximately every 3 years (2001, 2004 and 2007) that were used to estimate annual weight changes, as well as the percentage experiencing clinically important weight gain, defined as 10%. Analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS Weight gain was greatest around the time of discharge from service and in the 3 years before discharge (1.0-1.3 kg per year), while it was nearly half as much during service (0.6-0.7 kg per year) and 3 years after service ended (0.7 kg per year). Consequently, 6-year weight gain was over 2 kg greater in those who were discharged compared with those who remained in the military during follow-up (5.7 vs 3.5 kg in men; 6.3 vs 4.0 kg in women). In those who were discharged, younger age, less education, being overweight at baseline, being in the active-duty component (vs Reserve/National Guard) and having experienced deployment with combat exposures (vs non-deployment) were associated with increased risks of clinically important weight gain. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first prospectively collected evidence for an increased rate of weight gain around the time of military discharge that may explain previously reported higher rates of obesity in veterans, and identifies characteristics of higher-risk groups. Discharge from military service presents a window of risk and opportunity to prevent unhealthy weight gain in military personnel and veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Littman
- Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
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Bonanno GA, Mancini AD, Horton JL, Powell TM, Leardmann CA, Boyko EJ, Wells TS, Hooper TI, Gackstetter GD, Smith TC. Trajectories of trauma symptoms and resilience in deployed U.S. military service members: prospective cohort study. Br J Psychiatry 2012; 200:317-23. [PMID: 22361018 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.096552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most previous attempts to determine the psychological cost of military deployment have been limited by reliance on convenience samples, lack of pre-deployment data or confidentiality and cross-sectional designs. AIMS This study addressed these limitations using a population-based, prospective cohort of U.S. military personnel deployed in support of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. METHOD The sample consisted of U.S. military service members in all branches including active duty, reserve and national guard who deployed once (n = 3393) or multiple times (n = 4394). Self-reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress were obtained prior to deployment and at two follow-ups spaced 3 years apart. Data were examined for longitudinal trajectories using latent growth mixture modelling. RESULTS Each analysis revealed remarkably similar post-traumatic stress trajectories across time. The most common pattern was low-stable post-traumatic stress or resilience (83.1% single deployers, 84.9% multiple deployers), moderate-improving (8.0%, 8.5%), then worsening-chronic post-traumatic stress (6.7%, 4.5%), high-stable (2.2% single deployers only) and high-improving (2.2% multiple deployers only). Covariates associated with each trajectory were identified. CONCLUSIONS The final models exhibited similar types of trajectories for single and multiple deployers; most notably, the stable trajectory of low post-traumatic stress preto post-deployment, or resilience, was exceptionally high. Several factors predicting trajectories were identified, which we hope will assist in future research aimed at decreasing the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder among deployers.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Bonanno
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 218, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Abstract
An individual's and family's experience with a genetic disease is too complex and diverse to be totally predicted using genetic testing. Stigmatization and discrimination of gene carriers can occur if society chooses to utilize genetic technology to eliminate 'disease and disability' without accepting human variation and devoting any possible efforts for ameliorating the life of individuals faced with disabilities. In this paper I use Friedreich's ataxia (FA) to illustrate some ways in which a disease experience can differ from what is expected from textbook descriptions of a given condition. I describe the expected medical characteristics with FA and some of my own personal experience with the disease as well as that of my family.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Powell
- Genetics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5120, USA
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Powell TM, Thompsen JP, Virgo KS, Johnson ET, Chan D, Colberg JW, Ornstein DK, Johnson FE. Geographic variation in patient surveillance after radical prostatectomy. Ann Surg Oncol 2000; 7:339-45. [PMID: 10864340 DOI: 10.1007/s10434-000-0339-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is often diagnosed early enough in its clinical course to permit radical prostatectomy to be done with curative intent, yet many patients experience tumor recurrence. Most patients receive postoperative surveillance, but the intensity of testing varies appreciably. We sought to evaluate the influence of geographic location on the variability of surveillance intensity. METHODS Questionnaires pertaining to postoperative surveillance were mailed to 4467 members of the American Urological Association (AUA). Practice pattern variation was assessed among 24 large metropolitan statistical areas, among nine United States census regions, and by health maintenance organization penetration rate. RESULTS Of 4467 urologists surveyed, 1416 (32%) responded and 1050 (24%) responses were evaluable. Correlation analysis showed that mean follow-up intensity across modalities surveyed was highly correlated across tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stages and years postsurgery. We found no significant main effects attributable to metropolitan statistical area, United States (US) census region, or health maintenance organization (HMO) penetration rate for commonly used surveillance modalities: serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), office visit, and urinalysis. For infrequently used modalities, there were minimal effects on testing intensity of US census region, metropolitan statistical area, and HMO penetration rate. Few two-way and three-way interactions were significant. CONCLUSIONS The utilization of commonly used surveillance modalities by urologists caring for patients after radical prostatectomy is not affected by metropolitan statistical area, US census region, or HMO penetration rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Powell
- Department of Surgery at Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63110-0250, USA
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Abstract
Two general classes of genes are associated with the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). The first group consists of genes that appear to cause AD when mutated, and the second category is composed of genes that are statistically associated with AD, depending on the inheritance of specific alleles. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge about the genetics of AD, and we then discuss the two molecular tests that are currently commercially available. These include a genetic test for mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene that can diagnose or predict a subset of early onset familial AD with a high degree of certainty. The value of the genetic test for the apolipoprotein (APOE) allele status is far less clear. Inheritance of the epsilon 4 allele is associated with an increased risk of AD at a population level, but APOE genotyping is inappropriate for prediction of future disease in an individual and offers only a marginal increase in diagnostic certainty when symptomatic individuals are tested. In the future, genetic tests may become more broadly applicable to the diagnosis and prediction of AD. However, the utility of such tests is currently limited to a small subset of individuals because in the vast majority of AD cases no clear genetic or environmental cause has been defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Tobin
- Stanford Program in Genomics, Ethics, and Society, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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Powell TM, Richerson PJ, Dillon TM, Agee BA, Dozier BJ, Godden DA, Myrup LO. Spatial Scales of Current Speed and Phytoplankton Biomass Fluctuations in Lake Tahoe. Science 1975; 189:1088-90. [PMID: 17800160 DOI: 10.1126/science.189.4208.1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Spectral analysis of current speed and chlorophyll a measurements in Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, indicates that considerably more variance exists at longer length scales in chlorophyll than in the current speeds. Increasingly, above scales of approximately 100 meters, chlorophyll does not behave as a simple passive contaminant distributed by turbulence, which indicates that biological processes contribute significantly to the observed variance at these large length scales.
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