Carrie E Foote1, Joyce Mac Kinnon2, Chris Robbins3, Regina Pessagno4, Matthew D Portner5. 1. Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, CA303, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. foote@iupui.edu. 2. Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 4. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 5. Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, CA303, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This paper describes the long-term health and quality of life (QOL) outcomes of Vietnam veterans with combat-related limb loss. METHODS: This mixed-method, cross-sectional study analyzes survey data of 247 Vietnam veterans with combat-related limb loss measuring several comorbidities [measured as ever diagnosed], PTSD using the PTSD Checklist Military (PCL-M), depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and QOL using the SF-12. In-depth interviews with 20 such veterans about their health and QOL experiences were conducted. RESULTS: Of 247 Vietnam veterans, most report good to excellent health (79.7 %) and several comorbidities: arthritis (61.1 %), cardiovascular disease (18.2 %), diabetes (22.7 %), obesity (17.4 %), phantom-limb pain (76.1 %), back pain (76.5 %), PTSD (15.8 %), and depression (17.8 %). Those with depression fared worse on the SF-12 physical component summary score (PCS), whereas those with arthritis, depression, and PTSD fared worse on the SF-12 mental component summary score. Interview data describe these comorbidities and QOL from the veterans' perspective and illustrate how such comorbidities may be directly related to the veterans' combat and/or limb loss experiences. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of these health issues and the adverse effects of some of these on QOL underscore the importance of effective rehabilitation over the life course, especially including better mental health care and pain management.
PURPOSE: This paper describes the long-term health and quality of life (QOL) outcomes of Vietnam veterans with combat-related limb loss. METHODS: This mixed-method, cross-sectional study analyzes survey data of 247 Vietnam veterans with combat-related limb loss measuring several comorbidities [measured as ever diagnosed], PTSD using the PTSD Checklist Military (PCL-M), depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and QOL using the SF-12. In-depth interviews with 20 such veterans about their health and QOL experiences were conducted. RESULTS: Of 247 Vietnam veterans, most report good to excellent health (79.7 %) and several comorbidities: arthritis (61.1 %), cardiovascular disease (18.2 %), diabetes (22.7 %), obesity (17.4 %), phantom-limb pain (76.1 %), back pain (76.5 %), PTSD (15.8 %), and depression (17.8 %). Those with depression fared worse on the SF-12 physical component summary score (PCS), whereas those with arthritis, depression, and PTSD fared worse on the SF-12 mental component summary score. Interview data describe these comorbidities and QOL from the veterans' perspective and illustrate how such comorbidities may be directly related to the veterans' combat and/or limb loss experiences. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of these health issues and the adverse effects of some of these on QOL underscore the importance of effective rehabilitation over the life course, especially including better mental health care and pain management.
Entities:
Keywords:
Limb loss; Mental health; Pain; Quality of life; Veterans
Authors: Vamsi C Gaddipati; Beth A Bailey; Reena Kuriacose; Rebecca J Copeland; Todd Manning; Alan N Peiris Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2010-08-12 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: D M Ehde; D G Smith; J M Czerniecki; K M Campbell; D M Malchow; L R Robinson Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2001-06 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Shawn Farrokhi; Elizabeth Russell Esposito; Danielle McPherson; Brittney Mazzone; Rachel Condon; Charity G Patterson; Michael Schneider; Carol M Greco; Anthony Delitto; M Jason Highsmith; Brad D Hendershot; Jason Maikos; Christopher L Dearth Journal: Pain Med Date: 2020-12-12 Impact factor: 3.750
Authors: Jennifer Hale-Gallardo; Huanguang Jia; Tony Delisle; Charles E Levy; Valentina Osorio; Jennifer A Smith; Elizabeth M Hannold Journal: J Multidiscip Healthc Date: 2017-01-20
Authors: Peter Ladlow; Tom E Nightingale; M Polly McGuigan; Alexander N Bennett; Rhodri Phillip; James L J Bilzon Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-10-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Peter Ladlow; Tom E Nightingale; M Polly McGuigan; Alexander N Bennett; Rhodri D Phillip; James L J Bilzon Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-01-31 Impact factor: 3.240