Dataset Information

Gender differences in mental and physical health conditions in U.S. veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To characterize gender differences in the prevalence of mental and physical health conditions and evaluate the moderating effect of assaultive trauma on risk for these conditions in a nationally representative sample of male and female U.S. veterans. METHODS:Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 3157 U.S. veterans from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed gender differences in health outcomes and evaluated physical and sexual trauma as possible moderators of these outcomes. RESULTS:Compared to male veterans, female veterans had higher prevalence estimates of lifetime posttraumatic stress (OR=3.33) and lifetime and current major depressive (ORs=2.10 and 2.76, respectively) disorders, and lifetime histories of arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis (ORs ranging 2.14-9.74), but lower prevalence estimates of lifetime nicotine dependence (OR=0.46), lifetime and current alcohol use (ORs=0.19 and 0.36, respectively) and lifetime drug use (OR=0.39) disorders, and lifetime histories of diabetes, heart attack, and high blood pressure (ORs ranging 0.05-0.49). The elevation in risk associated with physical and sexual assault was greater for males than females for numerous health conditions (but greater for females for posttraumatic stress disorder). CONCLUSIONS:Results provide a comprehensive assessment and characterization of gender differences in mental and physical health conditions and risk conferred by assaultive trauma for certain conditions in U.S. veterans.

SUBMITTER: Ziobrowski H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5595666 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Gender differences in mental and physical health conditions in U.S. veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Ziobrowski Hannah H Sartor Carolyn E CE Tsai Jack J Pietrzak Robert H RH

Journal of psychosomatic research 20170812

<h4>Objectives</h4>To characterize gender differences in the prevalence of mental and physical health conditions and evaluate the moderating effect of assaultive trauma on risk for these conditions in a nationally representative sample of male and female U.S. veterans.<h4>Methods</h4>Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 3157 U.S. veterans from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed gender differences in health outcomes and eva ...[more]

PMID: 28867415

Similar Datasets

Project description:OBJECTIVE:The 1990-1991 Gulf War employed more women servicemembers than any prior conflict. Gender-based differences among veterans of this era have yet to be explored. This study is among the first and most recent to stratify Gulf War veteran demographics, lifestyle factors, and self-reported diagnoses by gender. METHODS:Data from the cross-sectional Gulf War Era Cohort and Biorepository pilot study (n = 1,318; collected between 2014 and 2016), including users and nonusers of the Veterans Health Administration, were used to calculate demographics and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS:Women veterans were oversampled and comprised approximately 23% of the sample. Women reported similar rates of Veterans Health Administration use (44%) and deployment (67%) as men (46% and 72%, respectively). Women were less likely than men to report frequent alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.81; p = .0009) or have a history of smoking (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.49-0.84; p = .0014). Among common health conditions, women were more likely than men to report a diagnosis of osteoporosis (aOR, 4.24; 95% CI, 2.39-7.51; p < .0001), bipolar disorder (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.15-4.04; p = .0167), depression (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.81-3.16; p < .0001), irritable bowel syndrome (aOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.43-3.09; p = .0002), migraines (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.18-4.01; p < .0001), asthma (aOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.29-2.67; p = .0008), and thyroid problems (aOR, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.14-6.73; p < .0001). Women were less likely than men to report hypertension (aOR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72; p < .0001), tinnitus (aOR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33-0.63; p < .0001), and diabetes (aOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28-0.69; p = .0003). CONCLUSIONS:Health differences exist between female and male veterans from the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Gender-specific analyses are needed to better understand the unique health care needs of Gulf War Era veterans and direct future research.

Project description:BackgroundHealthcare fragmentation may lead to adverse consequences and may be amplified among older, sicker patients with mental health (MH) conditions.ObjectiveTo determine whether older Veterans with MH conditions have more fragmented outpatient non-MH care, compared with older Veterans with no MH conditions.DesignRetrospective cohort study using FY2014 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative data linked to Medicare data.Participants125,481 VHA patients ≥ 65 years old who were continuously enrolled in Medicare Fee-for-Service Parts A and B and were at high risk for hospitalization.Main outcome and measuresThe main outcome was non-MH care fragmentation as measured by (1) non-MH provider count and (2) Usual Provider of Care (UPC), the proportion of care with the most frequently seen non-MH provider. We tested the association between no vs. any MH conditions and outcomes using Poisson regression and fractional regression with logit link, respectively. We also compared Veterans with no MH condition with each MH condition and combinations of MH conditions, adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and drive-time to VHA specialty care.Key resultsIn total, 47.3% had at least one MH condition. Compared to those without MH conditions, Veterans with MH conditions had less fragmented care, with fewer non-MH providers (IRR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.96-0.96) and more concentrated care with their usual provider (OR = 1.08 for a higher UPC; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.09) in adjusted models. Secondary analyses showed that those with individual MH conditions (e.g., depression) had fewer non-MH providers (IRR range: 0.86-0.98) and more concentrated care (OR range: 1.04-1.20). A similar pattern was observed when examining combinations of MH conditions (IRR range: 0.80-0.90; OR range: 1.16-1.30).ConclusionsContrary to expectations, having a MH condition was associated with less fragmented non-MH care among older, high-risk Veterans. Further research will determine if this is due to different needs, underuse, or appropriate use of healthcare.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:To prospectively examine the health and health-related behaviors of Army Special Forces personnel in comparison with two distinct, but functionally similar Army groups. METHODS:Special Forces, Ranger Qualified, and General Purposes Forces enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Study were identified using data from the Defense Manpower Data Center. Using prospective survey data (2001-2014), we estimated the association of Army specialization with mental health, social support, physical health, and health-related behaviors with multivariable regression models. RESULTS:Among the 5,392 eligible participants (84.4% General Purposes Forces, 10.0% Special Forces, 5.6% Ranger Qualified), Special Forces personnel reported the lowest prevalence of mental disorders, physical health problems, and unhealthy behaviors. In the multivariable models, Special Forces personnel were less likely to report mental health problems, multiple somatic symptoms, and unhealthy behaviors compared with General Purpose Forces infantrymen (odds ratios [OR]: 0.20-0.54, p-values < .01). Overall, Special Forces personnel were similar in terms of mental and physical health compared with Ranger Qualified infantrymen, but were less likely to sleep < 5 hours/night (OR: 0.60, 95% confidence intervals: 0.40, 0.92) and have 5 or more multiple somatic symptoms (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.98). Both Special Forces personnel and Ranger Qualified infantrymen engaged in more healthy behaviors compared with General Purpose Forces infantrymen (OR: 2.57-6.22, p-values<0.05). Engagement in more healthy behaviors reduced the odds of subsequent adverse health outcomes, regardless of specialization. CONCLUSIONS:Army Special Forces personnel were found to be mentally and physically healthier than General Purpose Forces infantrymen, which may in part be due to their tendency to engage in healthy behaviors. Findings indicate that engagement in a greater number of healthy behaviors may reduce odds for subsequent adverse outcomes.

Dataset Information

Gender differences in mental and physical health conditions in U.S. veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Publications

Gender differences in mental and physical health conditions in U.S. veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets