Accession Number:

ADA619433

Title:

Postdeployment Symptom Changes and Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Men

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER SAN DIEGO CA

Personal Author(s):

• Macera, Caroline A.
• Aralis, Hilary J.
• MacGregor, Andrew J.
• Rauh, Mitchell J.
• Galarneau, Michael R.

Report Date:

2012-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

In Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, blast-related injuries associated with combat are frequent and result in traumatic brain injuries TBIs that may be difficult to distinguish from psychological problems. Using data from the Post-Deployment Health Assessment and Reassessment, 12,046 U.S. Navy sailors and Marines with combat-related information from 2008-2009 were identified. A series of symptoms used to identify blast-related TBI and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD immediately after deployment were compared with the symptoms present several months later. Factor analysis identified four symptom clusters mental health, musculoskeletal, systemic headaches, feeling light-headed, dimming of vision, and auditory ringing in ears. After approximately 6 months, those who screened positive for PTSD and TBI formed a unique group with increased symptom reporting in most categories except for musculoskeletal. Our study supports others that have found subjects with blast-related injuries may experience the development or worsening of symptoms during the months following deployment. Providers should consider the possibility of comorbidity and be prepared to treat both conditions.

Descriptors:

• *POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
• *SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• *STRESS(PSYCHOLOGY)
• *TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
• *WOUNDS AND INJURIES
• BLAST
• BRAIN
• CLUSTERING
• DEPLOYMENT
• FACTOR ANALYSIS
• HEARING
• IRAQ
• MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL
• MENTAL DISORDERS
• MENTAL HEALTH
• NAVAL PERSONNEL
• NAVY
• PSYCHOLOGY
• REPRINTS
• TRAUMA
• VISION
• WARFARE

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Weapons Effects (Biological)

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE