Psychological Correlates of Battle and Nonbattle Injury Among Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans
Abstract
Background: Limited research exists on the relationship between physical injury and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within military populations. Objective: The present study aimed to examine differences in postinjury rates of PTSD and other psychological outcomes between battle and nonbattle injuries. Methods: A total of 1,968 men (831 battle injuries and 1,137 nonbattle injuries) injured between September 2004 and February 2005 during OIF comprised the study population. Patients were followed through November 2006 for diagnosis of mental health outcome (ICD-9 codes 290-319). Results: Compared with nonbattle injuries, those with battle injuries had a greater risk of PTSD and other mental health diagnosis, with the greatest effect seen as severity of battle injury increased. Self-reported mental health symptoms were significantly higher for both minor and moderate-severe battle injury in comparison with nonbattle injury and previous population estimates from an earlier OIF period. Conclusion: More research is needed to further define the relationship between battle injury and psychological outcomes by examining potential mechanisms and addressing the possible confounding effect of combat exposure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA541063
Entities
People
- Amber L. Dougherty
- Andrew J. MacGregor
- Beatrice A. Golomb
- Dewleen G Baker
- Karen S. Corson
- Michael R. Galarneau
- Rema Raman
- Richard A. Shaffer
- Suzanne P. Lindsay
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center