Increasing prevalence of chronic lung disease in veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Mary Jo Pugh, Carlos A. Jaramillo, Kar Wei Leung, Paola Faverio, Nicholas Fleming, Eric Mortensen, Megan E. Amuan, Chen Pin Wang, Blessen Eapen, Marcos Restrepo, Michael J. Morris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health conditions; however, it is becoming clear that other health concerns, such as respiratory illnesses, warrant further scientific inquiry. Early reports from theater and postdeployment health assessments suggested an association with deployment-related exposures (e.g., sand, burn pits, chemical, etc.) and new-onset respiratory symptoms. We used data from Veterans Affairs medical encounters between fiscal years 2003 and 2011 to identify trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and interstitial lung disease in veterans. We used data from Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense sources to identify sociodemographic (age, sex, race), military (e.g., service branch, multiple deployments) and clinical characteristics (TBI, smoking) of individuals with and without chronic lung diseases. Generalized estimating equations found significant increases over time for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Trends for interstitial lung disease were significant only in adjusted analyses. Age, smoking, and TBI were also significantly associated with chronic lung diseases; however, multiple deployments were not associated. Research is needed to identify which characteristics of deployment-related exposures are linked with chronic lung disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)476-481
Number of pages6
JournalMilitary Medicine
Volume181
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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