Military medicine
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We have examined the association between body mass index and the prevalence of low back pain in about a quarter of a million male recruits aged 17-18 years at the time of their medical draft examination. Low back pain prevalence is shown to rise with increasing body mass index. This statistically significant association may suggest a role of body weight and height in the pathogenesis of low back pain and supports the previously reported need for education regarding weight reduction as a useful implement in low back pain prevention.
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In order to assist future medical officers in planning for overseas deployment to austere areas where resupply is non-existent and support from higher echelons is extremely limited, we surveyed the most common medical problems and most frequently used drugs during a 6-week deployment of 1,159 troops to Khorat, Thailand, from April 21 to June 1, 1992. We consumed 358 l of parenteral fluids--markedly less than anticipated. ⋯ Overall attack rate for all injuries and diseases combined was 34%. Eight patients required hospitalization at local native hospitals longer than 24 hours, and two patients required evacuation to tertiary care centers in CONUS.