Active Component

Background: We sought to describe sex differences in the prevalence of painful musculoskeletal conditions in men and women Veterans after deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) (OEF-OIF).

Using a sample of 450,329 OEF/OIF Veterans who sought care at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals one to seven years after deployment, gender differences in the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions in male and female OEF/OIF Veterans was explored.

Context: A growing body of literature has demonstrated the association of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan with postdeployment mental health problems, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Researchers examined the prevalence rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), determined the comorbidity of alcohol misuse or aggressive behaviors with depression or PTSD, and compared prevalence rates between Active Component and National Guard Soldiers (N = 13,226).

In 2009, suicide was reported to be the third leading cause of death among U.S. Army personnel. The increase of suicides in the Army indicates the need for additional research to better understand the problem.

The administrative records of 995 Active Duty U.S. Army Soldiers who had attempted or completed suicide over a five year period were used to examine the prevalence of childhood trauma and mental health problems in this population.