Michael J Falvo1, Joseph H Abraham, Omowunmi Y Osinubi, Jacquelyn C Klein, Anays M Sotolongo, Duncan Ndirangu, Lydia A Patrick-DeLuca, Drew A Helmer. 1. War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange (Dr Falvo, Dr Osinubi, Dr Klein, Dr Sotolongo, Mr Ndirangu, Ms Patrick-DeLuca, Dr Helmer); Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Dr Falvo); Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark (Drs Falvo, Helmer); US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, MD (Dr Abraham); Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Piscataway (Dr Osinubi); Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ (Dr Sotolongo).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between deployment length and indices of airflow obstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with airborne hazards exposure. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four post-9/11 veterans completed pulmonary function testing and questionnaires. We examined the association of airflow limitation [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)] and bronchodilator responsiveness (ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC) with deployment length, adjusting for smoking. RESULTS: Longer deployment length was associated with lower FEV1/FVC [β = -0.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), -0.39 to 0.01], greater ΔFEV1 (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.45) and ΔFVC (β = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.33). In our model adjusted for smoking history, longer deployment length remained associated with greater ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC (P < 0.01), but not with FEV1/FVC (P = 0.059). CONCLUSION: In our sample of post-9/11 veterans, longer deployment lengths were associated with significant bronchodilator responsiveness and a trend toward airflow limitation independent of tobacco use.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between deployment length and indices of airflow obstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with airborne hazards exposure. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four post-9/11 veterans completed pulmonary function testing and questionnaires. We examined the association of airflow limitation [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)] and bronchodilator responsiveness (ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC) with deployment length, adjusting for smoking. RESULTS: Longer deployment length was associated with lower FEV1/FVC [β = -0.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), -0.39 to 0.01], greater ΔFEV1 (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.45) and ΔFVC (β = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.33). In our model adjusted for smoking history, longer deployment length remained associated with greater ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC (P < 0.01), but not with FEV1/FVC (P = 0.059). CONCLUSION: In our sample of post-9/11 veterans, longer deployment lengths were associated with significant bronchodilator responsiveness and a trend toward airflow limitation independent of tobacco use.
Authors: Atif Khan; Thomas H Thatcher; Collynn F Woeller; Patricia J Sime; Richard P Phipps; Philip K Hopke; Mark J Utell; Pamela L Krahl; Timothy M Mallon; Juilee Thakar Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-12 Impact factor: 2.162
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