Tokunbo Matthews1, Joseph Abraham2, Lisa L Zacher3, Michael J Morris4. 1. Pulmonary Disease Service, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Hospital, 5955 Zeamer Avenue, JBER, AK 99506. 2. United States Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD 21010. 3. Department of Medicine, Orlando Veterans' Administration Hospital, 5201 Raymond Street, Orlando, FL 32803. 4. Pulmonary/Critical Care Service, Department of Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To identify trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnoses among active duty U.S. military personnel based on deployment history and whether International Classification of Disease, 9th edition (ICD-9) coding meet criteria for the diagnosis of COPD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review using the electronic medical system was conducted for military personnel diagnosed with COPD based on ICD-9 codes for emphysema or chronic obstructive lung disease with at least three qualifying outpatient COPD-coded encounters. Clinical symptoms, smoking history, pulmonary function testing, and radiographs obtained during the diagnostic workup were reviewed. The established diagnosis of COPD was analyzed in relation to deployment. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients were identified during the study period (2005-2009). Of these patients, 194 (52.3%) deployed, whereas 177 (47.7%) did not deploy to Southwest Asia since 2003. Thirty-four percent had no documented smoking history despite the diagnosis of COPD. Airway obstruction was identified by spirometry in only 67% of individuals diagnosed with COPD. No statistically significant differences in pulmonary function testing values were identified between those deployed and nondeployed individuals. CONCLUSION: Despite evidence of increased respiratory symptoms in deployed military personnel, the impact of deployment on increased diagnosis of COPD or severity of disease appears minimal. Reprint &
PURPOSE: To identify trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnoses among active duty U.S. military personnel based on deployment history and whether International Classification of Disease, 9th edition (ICD-9) coding meet criteria for the diagnosis of COPD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review using the electronic medical system was conducted for military personnel diagnosed with COPD based on ICD-9 codes for emphysema or chronic obstructive lung disease with at least three qualifying outpatientCOPD-coded encounters. Clinical symptoms, smoking history, pulmonary function testing, and radiographs obtained during the diagnostic workup were reviewed. The established diagnosis of COPD was analyzed in relation to deployment. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients were identified during the study period (2005-2009). Of these patients, 194 (52.3%) deployed, whereas 177 (47.7%) did not deploy to Southwest Asia since 2003. Thirty-four percent had no documented smoking history despite the diagnosis of COPD. Airway obstruction was identified by spirometry in only 67% of individuals diagnosed with COPD. No statistically significant differences in pulmonary function testing values were identified between those deployed and nondeployed individuals. CONCLUSION: Despite evidence of increased respiratory symptoms in deployed military personnel, the impact of deployment on increased diagnosis of COPD or severity of disease appears minimal. Reprint &
Authors: Eric Garshick; Joseph H Abraham; Coleen P Baird; Paul Ciminera; Gregory P Downey; Michael J Falvo; Jaime E Hart; David A Jackson; Michael Jerrett; Ware Kuschner; Drew A Helmer; Kirk D Jones; Silpa D Krefft; Timothy Mallon; Robert F Miller; Michael J Morris; Susan P Proctor; Carrie A Redlich; Cecile S Rose; Rudolph P Rull; Johannes Saers; Aaron I Schneiderman; Nicholas L Smith; Panayiotis Yiallouros; Paul D Blanc Journal: Ann Am Thorac Soc Date: 2019-08
Authors: Aaron I Schneiderman; Deborah D Dougherty; Vincent P Fonseca; Charles L Wolters; Robert M Bossarte; Mehrdad Arjomandi Journal: Mil Med Date: 2017-09 Impact factor: 1.437