Terri K. Pogoda

Impact of the "polytrauma clinical triad" on sleep disturbance in a department of veterans affairs outpatient rehabilitation setting.

Lew HL, Pogoda TK, Hsu P-T, Cohen S, Amick MM, Baker E, Meterko M, Vanderploeg RD: Impact of the “polytrauma clinical triad” on sleep disturbance in a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient rehabilitation setting. Objective:There is a high prevalence of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans returning with the “polytrauma clinical triad” of pain, posttraumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. This study examined the effect of the polytrauma clinical triad on sleep disturbance, defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep, a common problem in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Design:A chart review was conducted for 200 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans evaluated at a polytrauma outpatient clinic. Data that were abstracted included a sleep disturbance severity index, diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and reported problems of pain. Results:Sleep disturbance was highly prevalent (93.5%) in this sample, in which the majority of traumatic brain injury diagnoses were mild. In the multiple regression analysis, posttraumatic stress disorder, pain, the interaction of traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder, and the interaction of posttraumatic stress disorder and pain significantly accounted for sleep disturbance. As a separate independent variable, traumatic brain injury was not associated with sleep disturbance. Conclusions:Our preliminary results showed that posttraumatic stress disorder and pain significantly contributed to sleep disturbance. When traumatic brain injury or pain coexisted with posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep problems worsened. In this clinical population, where the majority of traumatic brain injury diagnoses tend to be in the mild category, traumatic brain injury alone did not predict sleep disturbance. Through increased awareness of pain, posttraumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury, clinicians can work collaboratively to maximize rehabilitation outcomes.

Psychiatric Diagnoses and Neurobehavioral Symptom Severity among OEF/OIF VA Patients with Deployment-Related Traumatic Brain Injury: A Gender Comparison

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has substantial negative implications for the post-deployment adjustment of veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); however, most research on veterans has focused on males. This study investigated gender differences in psychiatric diagnoses and neurobehavioral symptom severity among OEF/OIF veterans with deployment-related TBI. METHODS This population-based study examined psychiatric diagnoses and self-reported neurobehavioral symptom severity from administrative records for 12,605 United States OEF/OIF veterans evaluated as having deployment-related TBI. Men (n = 11,951) and women (n = 654) who were evaluated to have deployment-related TBI during a standardized comprehensive TBI evaluation in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities were compared on the presence of psychiatric diagnoses and severity of neurobehavioral symptoms. FINDINGS Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most common psychiatric condition for both genders, although women were less likely than men to have a PTSD diagnosis. In contrast, relative to men, women were 2 times more likely to have a depression diagnosis, 1.3 times more likely to have a non-PTSD anxiety disorder, and 1.5 times more likely to have PTSD with comorbid depression. Multivariate analyses indicated that blast exposure during deployment may account for some of these differences. Additionally, women reported significantly more severe symptoms across a range of neurobehavioral domains. CONCLUSION Although PTSD was the most common condition for both men and women, it is also critical for providers to identify and treat other conditions, especially depression and neurobehavioral symptoms, among women veterans with deployment-related TBI.

Prevalence of dual sensory impairment and its association with traumatic brain injury and blast exposure in OEF/OIF Veterans

Objective:To describe the prevalence of self-reported rates of auditory, visual, and dual sensory impairment (DSI) in Afghanistan and Iraq war Veterans receiving traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluations. Design:Retrospective medical chart review. Participants:Thirty-six thousand nine hundred nineteen Veterans who received a TBI evaluation between October 2007 and June 2009. Final sample included 12,521 subjects judged to have deployment-related TBI and a comparison group of 9106 participants with no evidence of TBI. Main Outcome Measure:Self-reported auditory and visual impairment. Results:Self-reported sensory impairment rates were: 34.6% for DSI, 31.3% for auditory impairment only, 9.9% for visual impairment only, and 24.2% for none/mild sensory impairment. Those with TBI and blast exposure had highest rate of DSI. Regression analyses showed that auditory impairment was the strongest predictor of visual impairment, and vice versa, suggesting these impairments may derive from a common source. Conclusions:Veterans who self-report clinically significant hearing or vision difficulty during routine TBI evaluation should be evaluated systematically and comprehensively to determine the extent of sensory impairment. Identifying DSI could allow clinicians to collaborate and maximize rehabilitation.

Multisensory impairment reported by veterans with and without mild traumatic brain injury history

With the use of Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense databases of veterans who completed a Department of Veterans Affairs comprehensive traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluation, the objectives of this study were to (1) identify the co-occurrence of self-reported auditory, visual, and vestibular impairment, referred to as multisensory impairment (MSI), and (2) examine demographic, deployment-related, and mental health characteristics that were potentially predictive of MSI. Our sample included 13,746 veterans with either a history of deployment-related mild TBI (mTBI) (n = 9,998) or no history of TBI (n = 3,748). The percentage of MSI across the sample was 13.9%, but was 17.4% in a subsample with mTBI history that experienced both nonblast and blast injuries. The factors that were significantly predictive of reporting MSI were older age, being female, lower rank, and etiology of injury. Deployment-related mTBI history, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression were also significantly predictive of reporting MSI, with mTBI history the most robust after adjusting for these conditions. A better comprehension of impairments incurred by deployed servicemembers is needed to fully understand the spectrum of blast and nonblast dysfunction and may allow for more targeted interventions to be developed to address these issues.

Screening for mild traumatic brain injury in OEF-OIF deployed US military: An empirical assessment of VHA's experience

Background: VHA screens for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among patients formerly deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, referring those who screen positive for a Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE). Methods: To assess the programme, rates were calculated of positive screens for potential TBI in the population of patients screened in VHA between October 2007 through March 2009. Rates were derived of TBI confirmed by comprehensive evaluations from October 2008 through July 2009. Patient characteristics were obtained from Department of Defense and VHA administrative data. Results: In the study population, 21.6% screened positive for potential TBI and 54.6% of these had electronic records of a CTBIE. Of those with CTBIE records, evaluators confirmed TBI in 57.7%, yielding a best estimate that 6.8% of all those screened were confirmed to have TBI. Three quarters of all screened patients and virtually all those evaluated (whether TBI was confirmed or not) had VHA care the following year. Conclusions: VHAs TBI screening process is inclusive and has utility in referring patients with current symptoms to appropriate care. More than 90% of those evaluated received further VHA care and confirmatory evaluations were associated with significantly higher average utilization. Generalizability is limited to those who seek VHA healthcare.

Deployment-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans: Associations with Mental and Physical Health by Gender

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) research among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans has focused primarily on men. We examine associations between probable deployment-related TBI and postdeployment mental and physical health symptoms separately by gender. To identify unique associations of probable TBI with health symptoms, analyses were also conducted separately for veterans with and without probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS A mail survey, including self-report measures of probable deployment-related TBI and mental and physical health symptoms, was completed by 2348 OEF/OIF veterans (51% female), sampled randomly within gender from a national roster. We conducted logistic regressions stratified by gender and probable PTSD status to evaluate associations between probable TBI and health symptoms. RESULTS Of the respondents, 10.7% of women and 19.7% of men screened positive for probable deployment-related TBI. Probable TBI was significantly associated with increased risk of mental and physical health symptoms for both genders, even after adjusting for potential confounders. Odds ratios for the associations of probable TBI with health symptoms ranged between 2.63 and 9.20 for women and between 1.94 and 7.44 for men. Among veterans with probable PTSD, symptomatic anxiety and symptomatic physical health remained associated with probable TBI. Among veterans without probable PTSD, TBI remained strongly associated with all health symptoms for women and symptomatic anxiety and physical health for men, suggesting an association between TBI and some health symptoms independent of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Strong associations between probable TBI and health symptoms for women and men confirm the importance of screening for TBI and treatment of associated health symptoms for all OEF/OIF veterans.

Traumatic brain injury among women veterans: an invisible wound of intimate partner violence

Background:Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among women Veterans and is known to increase women’s risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). IPV-related TBI has not been examined in the women Veteran population. Objectives:To identify the occurrence of IPV-related TBI in a sample of women Veterans and examine the associations of IPV-related TBI with sociodemographic characteristics, health symptoms, health care utilization, and IPV experiences. Research Design:Cross-sectional mail survey conducted in 2013. Subjects:The sample comprised 176 New England Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) women Veteran patients. Measures:Self-reported IPV-related TBI was assessed with a modified VA TBI screening tool. The survey included validated measures of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Posttraumatic Disorder Checklist) symptoms, as well as overall mental and physical health (SF-12), and IPV (Conflict Tactics Scales-Revised-2). Questions assessed past-year VA and non-VA health care use. Results:A total of 18.8% (n=33) met screening criteria for IPV-related TBI history. Women who experienced IPV-related TBI reported significantly higher depression (mean Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores: 26.6 vs. 20.7, P<0.0001) and PTSD (mean Posttraumatic Disorder Checklist scores: 53.2 vs. 34.1, P<0.0001) symptoms, and poorer perceptions of physical health (mean SF-12 34.6 vs. 42.3, P<0.01) than women who experienced IPV to the head without TBI. IPV-related TBI was also associated with poorer perceptions of mental health, as well as more frequent VA health care utilization and overall IPV. Conclusions:IPV-related TBI is associated with poorer mental and physical health in women Veterans. This invisible injury is associated with greater VA health care utilization and IPV exposure. Implications for VA practice and policy are discussed.

Associations Between Traumatic Brain Injury, Suspected Psychiatric Conditions, and Unemployment in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.

Objective:To examine the relations among demographic characteristics, traumatic brain injury (TBI) history, suspected psychiatric conditions, current neurobehavioral health symptoms, and employment status in Veterans evaluated for TBI in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Study Design:Retrospective cross-sectional database review of comprehensive TBI evaluations documented between October 2007 and June 2009. Participants:Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans (n = 11 683) who completed a comprehensive TBI evaluation. Main Measures:Veterans Affairs clinicians use the comprehensive TBI evaluations to obtain information about TBI-related experiences, current neurobehavioral symptoms, and to identify suspected psychiatric conditions. Results:Approximately one-third of Veterans in this sample were unemployed, and of these, the majority were looking for work. After simultaneously adjusting for health and deployment-related variables, significant factors associated with unemployment included one or more suspected psychiatric conditions (eg, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression), neurobehavioral symptom severity (ie, affective, cognitive, vestibular), former active duty status, injury etiology, age, lower education, and marital status. The associations of these factors with employment status varied by deployment-related TBI severity. Conclusions:Simultaneously addressing health-related, educational, and/or vocational needs may fill a critical gap for helping Veterans readjust to civilian life and achieve their academic and vocational potential.

Concordance of Clinician Judgment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury History with a Diagnostic Standard

The concordance of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinician judgment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) history with American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM)-based criteria was examined for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans. In order to understand inconsistencies in agreement, we also examined the associations between evaluation outcomes and conceptually relevant patient characteristics, deployment-related events, current self-reported health symptoms, and suspected psychiatric conditions. The Veteran sample comprised 14,026 OIF/OEF VA patients with deployment-related mTBI history (n = 9,858) or no history of mTBI (n = 4,168) as defined by ACRM-based criteria. In the majority of cases (76.0%), clinician judgment was in agreement with the ACRM-based criteria. The most common inconsistency was between clinician judgment (no) and ACRM-based criteria (yes) for 21.3% of the patients. Injury etiology, current self-reported health symptoms, and suspected psychiatric conditions were additional factors associated with clinician diagnosis and ACRM-based criteria disagreement. Adherence to established diagnostic guidelines is essential for accurate determination of mTBI history and for understanding the extent to which mTBI symptoms resolve or persist over time in OIF/OEF Veterans.

Traumatic brain injury and PTSD symptoms as a consequence of intimate partner violence

OBJECTIVE To effectively diagnose and treat women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), it is important to identify the full range of physical and mental health consequences, including hidden wounds such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We aimed to identify the occurrence of IPV-related TBI and associated PTSD symptoms among women veterans who experienced IPV. METHODS A web-based survey was administered in 2014 to a national sample of U.S. women veterans. Among 411 respondents (75% participation rate), 55% reported IPV during their lives. These participants (N=224) completed screening measures of IPV-related TBI, PTSD, and past-year IPV and comprised the current sample. RESULTS A total of 28.1% (n=63) met criteria for IPV-related TBI history, and 12.5% (n=28) met criteria for IPV-related TBI with current symptoms. When adjusting for race, income, and past-year IPV, women with IPV-related TBI with current symptoms were 5.9 times more likely to have probable IPV-related PTSD than those with no IPV-related TBI history. Despite symptom overlap between TBI and PTSD, women with IPV-related TBI with current symptoms were significantly more likely to meet criteria for all four DSM-5 PTSD symptom clusters compared to women with an IPV-related TBI history without current symptoms (Cramérs Vs=.34-.42). CONCLUSION Findings suggest there may be clinical utility in screening women who experience lifetime IPV for both TBI and PTSD symptoms in order to help clinicians better target their examinations, treatment, and referrals.