Military medicine
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Psychiatric disorders in military members require substantial medical, administrative, and financial resources, and are among the leading causes of hospitalization and early discharge. We reviewed available data to better understand the incidence of bipolar I disorder among military personnel. Defense Medical Epidemiology Database inpatient data were used. ⋯ The incidence increased over time for depressed and mixed episode types among both genders. High risk groups include women, younger individuals, and whites. This population provides insight into adult onset bipolar I disorder incidence and demographic patterns not available elsewhere and offers potential opportunities to improve its understanding.
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Comparative Study
Comparative testing of new hemostatic agents in a swine model of extremity arterial and venous hemorrhage.
To compare advanced hemostatic dressings: HemCon (HC), QuikClot ACS+ (advanced clotting sponge, and two granular agents: Celox (CX) and WoundStat (WS), with a standard field dressing in a swine model of extremity hemorrhage. ⋯ All hemostatic dressings result in significantly less blood loss and improved survival over standard gauze dressing.
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Case Reports
Development of a complicated pain syndrome following cyanide poisoning in a U.S. soldier.
A majority of modern war wounds are caused by blasts and high-energy ballistics. Extremity injuries predominate since modern body armor does not protect these areas due to mobility limitations. ⋯ We describe a case of a soldier with CN intoxication due to ingestion of tobacco purchased from a local merchant. The soldier developed a complex neuropathic pain syndrome and was successfully treated with an inpatient high-dose intravenous ketamine infusion in combination with continuous peripheral nerve blockade.