• Stephen C Hunt, Mack Orsborn, Harvey Checkoway, Mary L Biggs, Miles McFall, and Tim K Takaro.
• VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.
• Mil Med. 2008 Jul 1; 173 (7): 613618613-8.

ObjectiveIncarceration-related predictors of later life disability in former prisoners of war (POWs) have not been previously described. The objective of this project was to identify aspects of POW incarceration which are associated with later life disability status.MethodsCross-sectional retrospective study of 328 former U.S. military personnel held as POWs (World War II and Korean and Vietnam Wars) who presented for evaluations at a Veterans Affairs medical center between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2004 outcome measures were: (1) total number of later life disability conditions attributable to incarceration and (2) cumulative percentage later life disability attributable to these conditions.ResultsWe found significant associations between later life disability and POW experiences, including experiencing or witnessing torture, solitary confinement, forced marches, dysentry, pellagra, vitamin deficiencies, scabies, depression, and suicidal thoughts.ConclusionsConditions of captivity and health concerns or emotional distress during captivity may contribute to long-term adverse health outcomes as measured by later life disabilities in individuals incarcerated as POWs.

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