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 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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1106143
Entities
People
- Cynthia J Thomsen
- Hannah Koenig
- Jennifer N. Belding
- Jourdan R. Jackson
- Robyn M. Englert
- Shannon Fitzmaurice
- Uade Olaghere Da Silva
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center