What Pre-Deployment and Early Post-Deployment Factors Predict Health Function after Combat Deployment: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Soldiers.

摘要

Physical and mental function are strong indicators of disability and mortality. OEF/OIF Veterans returning from deployment have been found to have poorer function than soldiers who have not deployed; however the reasons for this are unknown. Methods: A prospective cohort of 790 soldiers was assessed both pre- and immediately after deployment to determine predictors of physical and mental function after war. Results: On average, OEF/OIF Veterans showed significant declines in both physical (t=6.65, P<0001) and mental function (t=7.11, p<001). After controlling for pre-deployment function, poorer physical function after deployment was associated with older age, more physical symptoms, blunted systolic blood pressure reactivity and being injured. After controlling for pre-deployment function, poorer mental function after deployment was associated with younger age, lower social desirability, lower social support, greater physical symptoms and greater PTSD symptoms.