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Deployment-related psychiatric and behavioral conditions and their association with functional disability in OEF/OIF/OND veterans

Citation:

Lippa, S. M., Fonda, J. R., Fortier, C. B., Amick, M. A., Kenna, A., Milberg, W. P., & McGlinchey, R. E. (2015). Deployment-related psychiatric and behavioral conditions and their association with functional disability in OEF/OIF/OND veterans. J Trauma Stress , 28, 25-33.

Date Published:

Feb

Abstract:

Understanding the factors that influence veterans' functional outcome after deployment is critical to provide appropriately targeted care. Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been related to disability, but other psychiatric and behavioral conditions are not as well examined. We investigated the impact of deployment-related psychiatric and behavioral conditions on disability among 255 OEF/OIF/OND service members and veterans. Structured clinical interviews assessed TBI and the psychiatric conditions of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use. Self-report questionnaires assessed disability and the behavioral conditions of sleep disturbance and pain. Over 90% of participants had a psychiatric and/or behavioral condition, with approximately half presenting with ≥ 3 conditions. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 clinically relevant psychiatric and behavioral factors which accounted for 76.9% of the variance: (a) depression, PTSD, and military mTBI (deployment trauma factor); (b) pain and sleep (somatic factor); (c) anxiety disorders, other than PTSD (anxiety factor); and (d) substance abuse or dependence (substance use factor). Individuals with the conditions comprising the deployment trauma factor were more likely to be substantially disabled than individuals with depression and PTSD, but no military mTBI, OR = 3.52; 95% CI [1.09, 11.37]. Depression, PTSD, and a history of military mTBI may comprise an especially harmful combination associated with high risk for substantial disability.

Notes:

1573-6598Lippa, Sara MFonda, Jennifer RFortier, Catherine BAmick, Melissa AKenna, AlexandraMilberg, William PMcGlinchey, Regina EK01 AG024898/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United StatesK23 AG034258/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United StatesR21 AT009430/AT/NCCIH NIH HHS/United StatesK01AG024898/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United StatesJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.J Trauma Stress. 2015 Feb;28(1):25-33. doi: 10.1002/jts.21979.