Military medicine
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We studied military health care provider (HCP) practices regarding reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI). ⋯ Specific educational interventions targeted to military HCP likely to see AEFIs but not currently filing VAERS reports may improve vaccine safety reporting practices.
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In 2008, a clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed for the prevention of infections among military personnel with combat-related injuries. Our analysis expands on a prior 6-month evaluation and assesses CPG adherence with respect to antimicrobial prophylaxis for U. S. combat casualties medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center over a 1-year period (June 2009 through May 2010), with an eventual goal of continuously monitoring CPG adherence and measuring outcomes as a function of compliance. ⋯ Lack of antimicrobial prophylaxis contributed 2 to 22% to noncompliance varying by injury category, whereas receipt of antibiotics other than preferred was 11 to 30%. For extremity injuries, antimicrobial prophylaxis adherence was 60 to 83%, whereas it was 80% for closed injuries and 68% for penetrating abdominal injuries. Overall, the results of our analysis suggest an ongoing need to improve adherence, monitor CPG compliance, and assess effectiveness.
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Comparative Study
Melanoma incidence rates in active duty military personnel compared with a population-based registry in the United States, 2000-2007.
This study was conducted to investigate whether incidence rates of malignant cutaneous melanoma in U.S. Department of Defense active duty military personnel differed from rates in the U.S. general population between 2000 and 2007. ⋯ Melanoma rates were marginally higher among active duty military personnel than the general population between 2000 and 2007.
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To estimate the cumulative incidence of sexual assault during the time of Gulf War I among male Gulf War I Veterans who later applied for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) post-traumatic stress disorder disability benefits and to identify potential risk and protective factors for sexual assault within the population. ⋯ The 9-month cumulative incidence of sexual assault in this particular population exceeded the lifetime cumulative incidence of sexual assault in U.S. civilian women. Although Persian Gulf deployment was not associated with sexual assault in this population, combat exposure was.
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To assess whether race is a significant factor in the ability of prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) for predicting high-grade prostate cancer (HGPC). ⋯ PSAV may complement static PSA in African Americans and help identify early stage aggressive cancers.