Prevalence and Psychological Correlates of Traumatic Brain Injury in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Abstract
Background: The prevalence and mental health sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the current U.S. military conflict in Iraq has not been thoroughly examined. Objective: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of TBI among injured male combatants, and examine the role of TBI in the development of mental health outcomes, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: A total of 831 men who were injured during military combat between September 2004 and February 2005 composed the study population. Patients were followed for mental health diagnoses. Results: Among the total sample, 18.7% were classified as mild TBI, 2.3% as moderate-severe TBI, 32.8% as other head injury, and 46.2% as non-head injury. Among those suffering overall moderate-severe injuries, those with mild and moderate-severe TBI were less likely to receive a mental health diagnosis, particularly PTSD and mood/anxiety disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of head injury among this cohort of injured male combatants was 53.8%; 21.0% of the cohort met the criteria for a TBI. Among moderate-severe injured individuals, those with TBI were less likely to receive a mental health diagnosis when compared with non-head injuries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA541876
Entities
People
- Amber L. Dougherty
- Andrew J. MacGregor
- Beatrice A. Golomb
- Dewleen G Baker
- Karen S. Carson
- Michael R. Galarneau
- Richard A. Shaffer
- Suzanne P. Lindsay
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center