Blast Exposure, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Self-Reported Symptomology Among Active Duty Enlisted Marines: An Examination of Post-Deployment Health Assessment Records, 2005-2012

Abstract

Since the beginning of the Global War on Terror in 2001, more than 2 million service members have deployed. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been labeled the signature injury of recent conflicts and poses a significant burden on the Military Health System (MHS). Although TBIs have various etiologies, deployment-related TBIs are often caused by exposure to overpressure from explosive blasts such as those caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). Because of the threat posed by both blast overpressure exposure and subsequent TBIs, developing a thorough understanding of risk factors for injury is of paramount importance. One important yet understudied risk factor that may be associated with the likelihood of being exposed to a blast, sustaining a TBI, and experiencing TBI-related symptoms is ones Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). The purpose of this technical report is to provide a comprehensive overview of deployment exposures and self-reported symptomology reported by active duty enlisted Marines on the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA), particularly as they relate to blast exposure and TBI. Based on analyses of 181,423 active duty enlisted Marines who completed the PDHA between 2005 and 2012, this report provides a comprehensive summary of: (1) the number of Marines exposed to potentially TBI-inducing events, (2) probable concussions sustained during deployment as a function of both exposures and MOS, and (3) the symptoms Marines reported experiencing during their deployment. Results are presented for all Marines together as well as for each MOS individually.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 08, 2020
Accession Number
AD1102639

Entities

People

  • Cynthia J Thomsen
  • Hannah Koenig
  • Jennifer N. Belding
  • Jourdan R. Jackson
  • Robyn M. Englert
  • Shannon Fitzmaurice
  • Uade O. Da Silva

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Brain Injuries
  • Business Administration
  • Communication Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Employment
  • Health Services
  • Information Systems
  • Maintenance
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Pain
  • Personnel Management
  • Warfare

Readers

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  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.