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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Enter text here.
OBJECTIVE(S):
In response to recent attention to the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans, there have been considerable efforts to characterize their mental health services needs. However, the general medical care needs of OIF/OEF veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)--including those with comorbid substance use disorders (SUD)--have received less attention. The proposed project represents a continuation of our work in this area, building on our SDR 07-331 work to address the following objectives:
To characterize burden of medical illness associated with with a dual diagnosis (PTSD plus SUD), by gender; to characterize utilization in those with a dual diagnosis (PTSD plus SUD), by gender; and to explore rates of HIV screening in those with a dual diagnosis (PTSD plus SUD), by gender.
METHODS:
This project capitalizes on a database created through VA HSR&D IAE 05-291 (which was supplemented by SDR 07-331). This database was drawn from existing data sources: VA's National Patient Care Database, VA's OIF/OEF Roster, and the MST Data Archive. For all members of the OIF/OEF roster who received VA outpatient care at least once during FY06 and FY07, we will use VA administrative records to identify PTSD status (PTSD plus SUD versus PTSD alone versus no mental health conditions), specific medical conditions (the latter derived using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Clinical Classifications Software framework, supplemented with expert clinical opinion), and utilization of specific types of VA outpatient and inpatient care. We will use VA DSS Lab Results File to identify receipt of HIV testing. We will then examine the frequency and types of medical conditions and utilization among women and men by PTSD status, and explore rates of HIV testing by PTSD status.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
None at this time.
IMPACT:
This project will serve as a needs assessment relevant to VA clinicians and policy makers who require data to target the development of new, integrated clinical programs for OIF/OEF returnees presenting with complex combinations of medical and mental illness. It also will inform the next generation of research on access, quality and cost of care for OIF/OEF returnees with comorbid PTSD and medical illness.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
Mental Illness, Military and Environmental Exposures, Substance Abuse, Addictive Disorders
DRE:
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Keywords:
Comorbidity, PTSD, Women - or gender differences
MeSH Terms:
none
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