Impact of combat deployment and posttraumatic stress disorder on newly reported coronary heart disease among US active duty and reserve forces

  • N.F. C
  • M.E. B
  • E. S
  • et al.
N/ACitations
Citations of this article
14Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Background - : The recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have exposed thousands of service members to intense stress, and as a result, many have developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The role of military deployment experiences and PTSD in coronary heart disease (CHD) is not well defined, especially in young US service members with recent combat exposure. Methods and Results - : We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the relationships between wartime experiences, PTSD, and CHD. Current and former US military personnel from all service branches participating in the Millennium Cohort Study during 2001 to 2008 (n=60 025) were evaluated for newly self-reported CHD. Electronic medical record review for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for CHD was conducted among a subpopulation of active duty members (n=23 794). Logistic regression models examined the associations between combat experiences and PTSD with CHD with adjustment for established CHD risk factors. A total of 627 participants (1.0%) newly reported CHD over an average of 5.6 years of follow-up. Deployers with combat experiences had an increased odds of newly reporting CHD (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.40) and having a diagnosis code for new-onset CHD (odds ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.84) compared with noncombat deployers. Screening positive for PTSD symptoms was associated with self-reported CHD before but not after adjustment for depression and anxiety and was not associated with a new diagnosis code for CHD. CONCLUSIONS - : Combat deployments are associated with new-onset CHD among young US service members and veterans. Experiences of intense stress may increase the risk for CHD over a relatively short period among young adults. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

N.F., C.-C., M.E., B., E., S., E.J., B., B., S., C., M., … M., V. (2014). Impact of combat deployment and posttraumatic stress disorder on newly reported coronary heart disease among US active duty and reserve forces. Circulation. N.F. Crum-Cianflone, Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Rd, San Diego, CA 92106-3521, United States. E-mail: nancy32red@yahoo.com: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (E-mail: LRorders@phl.lrpub.com). Retrieved from http://circ.ahajournals.org

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free