Health Status and Performance of United States Air Force Airmen Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Abstract
The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) determine the agreement between the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and the clinical judgment of a board-certified neurologist based upon medical records review; (2) utilize a historical prospective study design in a large, well-documented population to determine the relation between mTBI and mental disorders. including depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, fatigue, headache, and dementias; (3) evaluate the association between mTBI and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and epilepsy; (4) evaluate the association between mTBI and endocrine dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, new onset diabetes mellitus and insipidus, pituitary disorders, adrenal disorders, and sex hormone disorders; and (5) determine the association between mTBI and measures of social functioning and well-being to include retention, disability, promotion, risk for mishaps, and health status. The study population includes all active duty U.S. Air Force men and women who served for 6 or more months from October 1, 2001 to December 31, 2007. Analyses are just beginning at this time, however, preliminary data suggest that the study will include over 540,000 Airmen, approximately 2-3% of whom will meet the CDC definition for mTBI. The results of the study will be important in furthering understanding of the possible adverse performance and health decrements associated with mTBI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA509194
Entities
People
- Timothy. S. Wells
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory