Endocrine Deficiency in the Servicewoman: An Assessment of Prevalence, Adequacyof Therapy, and Impact on Deployability in Patients Evaluated at the WRAMC Endocrinology Clinic

摘要

A computerized database containing active duty servicewomen and dependent wivesof active duty servicemen was established as a subset of patients entered into the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Endocrinology Clinic patient database. A total of 8503 patients were screened, among whom 796 patients were found eligible for database entry. Eligible patients were then contacted by correspondence. Among eligible patients, fewer than 10% were able to be contacted or willing to participate in the study. Among respondents, the adequacy of care provided to servicewomen with endocrine gland deficiencies, as assessed by the timeliness with which the diagnosis was made, the appropriateness of available medical care, the interval between follow-up evaluations, and the availability of endocrine medications, was encouraging. However, a surprisingly large number (19%) of patients experienced significant delays in receiving necessary medications due to inability to make a doctor's appointment or inadequate pharmacy stock at their duty assignment. This very important area should be targeted for future improvement in active duty servicewomen.