Military medicine
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an occupational health hazard of military service. Few studies have examined differences in military occupational categories (MOC) which take into consideration the physical demands and job requirements across occupational groups. ⋯ A strength of this analysis is the breakdown of MOC associations with TBI stratified by enlisted and officer ranks, which has been previously unreported. Given the significantly increased odds of service-related TBI reporting within enlisted ranks, further exploration into the location (deployed versus non-deployed) and mechanism (e.g., blast, training, sports, etc.) for these injuries is needed. Understanding injury patterns within these military occupations is necessary to increase TBI identification, treatment, and foremost, prevention.Results highlight the importance of examining specific occupational categories rather than relying on gross categorizations, which do not account for shared knowledge, skills, and abilities within occupations. The quantification of risk among enlisted MOCs suggests a need for further research into the causes of TBI.
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Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a standard component of Tactical Combat Casualty Care. Recent retrospective studies have shown that TXA use is associated with a higher rate of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in combat-injured patients. We aim to determine if selective administration should be considered in the prolonged field care environment. ⋯ There may be an increased risk of VTE in combat casualties that receive TXA; however, this risk must be considered in the context of improved survival and an absence of VTE-associated deaths. To optimize combat casualty care during prolonged field care, it will be essential to ensure the timely administration of VTE chemoprophylaxis as soon as the risk of significant hemorrhage permits.
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Veterans and service members (V/SM) may have more risk factors for arrest and felony incarceration (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder and at-risk substance use) but also more protective factors (e.g., access to health care) to mitigate behaviors that may lead to arrest. As such, understanding which factors are associated with criminal justice involvement among V/SM could inform prevention and treatment efforts. The current study examined relationships between lifetime history of arrests and felony incarceration and sociodemographic, psychological, and brain injury characteristics factors among combat V/SM. ⋯ The rate of lifetime arrest (35%) in this V/SM sample was consistent with rates of arrests in the U.S. general population. One modifiable characteristic associated with lifetime arrest and felony incarceration was hazardous alcohol consumption. Alcohol use should be a top treatment target for V/SM at risk for arrest and those with history of criminal justice involvement.
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Shiitake flagellate dermatitis is an intensely pruritic erythematous or violaceous eruption marked by "whip-like" linear streaks consisting of papules or plaques following the ingestion of undercooked shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). Most commonly localized on the trunk and upper limbs, the characteristic pattern of the rash is associated with the consumption of lentinan, a thermolabile toxin found within the mushroom, as well as a broad range of other dermatological conditions, including dermatomyositis, adult-onset Still's disease, and reactions to medications such as bleomycin. ⋯ As U. S. forces pivot to operating in austere and resource-limited settings in the Pacific, recognizing the spectrum of diagnoses encompassed by flagellate erythema is important for maintaining operational readiness and differentiating self-limited cutaneous manifestations from more serious underlying conditions associated with this finding.
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Observational Study
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Among Active Duty Military Personnel Diagnosed With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are common conditions among military service members, with high rates of comorbidity. Although cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been established as an effective treatment for insomnia, it is unclear whether or not CBT-I is effective among service members with comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. ⋯ These results suggest that CBT-I may be effective in treating military service members with comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. Despite the limitations of data collected in a clinical setting, consistent findings across five of the seven outcome measures provide good evidence that this treatment can be implemented in military settings.