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The National Veteran Sleep Disorder Study: Descriptive Epidemiology and Secular Trends, 2000-2010.

The National Veteran Sleep Disorder Study: Descriptive Epidemiology and Secular Trends, 2000-2010.

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The National Veteran Sleep Disorder Study: Descriptive Epidemiology and Secular Trends, 2000-2010.

Sleep. 2016 Apr 12;

Authors: Alexander M, Ray MA, Hébert JR, Youngstedt SD, Zhang H, Steck SE, Bogan RK, Burch JB

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: A large proportion of individuals affected by sleep disorders are untreated and susceptible to accidents, injuries, long-term sequelae (e.g., risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, psychiatric disorders), and increased mortality risk. Few studies have examined the scope and magnitude of sleep disorder diagnoses in the United States (US) or factors influencing them. Veterans are particularly vulnerable to factors that elicit or exacerbate sleep disorders.

METHODS: This serial cross-sectional study characterized secular trends in diagnosed sleep disorders among veterans seeking care in US Veterans Health Administration facilities over an eleven-year span (FY2000-2010, N = 9,798,034). Electronic medical records from the national Veterans Administration Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database were accessed. Cases were defined using diagnostic codes specified by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Age-adjusted annual prevalence was summarized by sex, race, combat exposure, body mass index, and comorbid diagnoses (cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental disorders).

RESULTS: Sleep apnea (47%) and insomnia (26%) were the most common diagnoses among patients with any sleep disorder. There was a six-fold relative increase in total sleep disorder prevalence over the study period. Post-traumatic stress disorder, which tripled over the same time period, was associated with the highest prevalence of sleep disorders (16%) among the comorbid conditions evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a growing need for integration of sleep disorder management with patient care and health care planning among US veterans.

PMID: 27091538 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

The tenth annual amygdala, stress, and PTSD conference: “The amygdala: Dysfunction, hyperfunction, and connectivity”.

The tenth annual amygdala, stress, and PTSD conference: “The amygdala: Dysfunction, hyperfunction, and connectivity”.

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The tenth annual amygdala, stress, and PTSD conference: “The amygdala: Dysfunction, hyperfunction, and connectivity”.

J Neurosci Res. 2016 Jun;94(6):433-6

Authors: Prager EM, Wynn GH, Ursano RJ

PMID: 27091310 [PubMed – in process]

The relationships of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms with health-related quality of life and the role of social support among Veterans.

The relationships of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms with health-related quality of life and the role of social support among Veterans.

http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResoRelated Articles

The relationships of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms with health-related quality of life and the role of social support among Veterans.

Qual Life Res. 2016 Apr 16;

Authors: Painter JM, Gray K, McGinn MM, Mostoufi S, Hoerster KD

Abstract

PURPOSE: The presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression symptoms is associated with poor quality of life. Social support buffers against developing symptoms of PTSD and depression and is associated with greater quality of life. We examined the relationships between PTSD and depression symptom severity with physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and whether social support moderated these relationships.

METHODS: Randomly selected Veterans with at least one Primary Care or PTSD Clinical Team visit received a mailed survey including self-report measures of health and wellness. Among the 717 respondents, we examined the association between symptom severity and HRQoL using linear regression. We included interaction terms between symptom severity and social support to examine whether social support moderated these associations.

RESULTS: Social support did not moderate the association between symptom severity and mental HRQoL. Higher PTSD and depression symptom severity were associated with lower MCS scores, whereas higher social support was associated with higher MCS scores. When examining physical HRQoL, social support moderated the association with PTSD and depression symptom severity. Among individuals with high social support, there was a negative association between symptom severity and PCS scores, whereas there was no association among those with low social support.

CONCLUSIONS: Although there are contexts in which social support is helpful, in some cases it may interfere with HRQoL among those with mental health conditions. Thus, it is important to educate support providers about behaviors that enhance the benefits and minimize the costs of social support.

PMID: 27085339 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Female veterans’ preferences for counseling related to intimate partner violence: Informing patient-centered interventions.

Female veterans’ preferences for counseling related to intimate partner violence: Informing patient-centered interventions.

http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-imagRelated Articles

Female veterans’ preferences for counseling related to intimate partner violence: Informing patient-centered interventions.

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2016 Mar 18;

Authors: Iverson KM, Stirman SW, Street AE, Gerber MR, Carpenter SL, Dichter ME, Bair-Merritt M, Vogt D

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Female veterans are at high risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). A critical issue in the provision of health care to women who experience IPV is the delivery of effective brief counseling interventions that address women’s unique needs. We aimed to identify female veterans’ priorities and preferences for healthcare-based IPV counseling.

METHOD: A 2014 Web-based survey was administered to a national sample of US female veterans. Among 411 respondents (75% participation rate), 55% (n=226) reported IPV during their lifetime. These women identified priorities for the content focus of IPV-related counseling and preferences for the delivery of these services.

RESULTS: Women prioritized counseling that focuses on physical safety and emotional health, with learning about community resources being a relatively lower priority. Participants preferred counseling to focus specifically on enhancing coping skills and managing mental health symptoms. In addition, women want counseling to be individualized and preferred the option to meet with a counselor immediately following disclosure. Affordable services and attention to privacy concerns were of paramount importance in the context of IPV-related counseling.

CONCLUSION: These findings can inform patient-centered brief counseling interventions for women who experience IPV, which may ultimately reduce health disparities and violence among this population.

PMID: 27083252 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Perceptions of Individual and Family Functioning Among Deployed Female National Guard Members.

Perceptions of Individual and Family Functioning Among Deployed Female National Guard Members.

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Perceptions of Individual and Family Functioning Among Deployed Female National Guard Members.

J Fam Nurs. 2016 Apr 13;

Authors: Kelly PJ, Cheng AL, Berkel LA, Nilsson J

Abstract

Females currently make up 15% of U.S. military service members. Minimal attention has been paid to families of female National Guard members who have been deployed and their subsequent reintegration challenges. This cross-sectional Internet-based survey of female members of four National Guard units compared those who were and were not deployed. Instruments, guided by the variables of the Family Resilience Model, measured individual, family, and deployment-related factors. Bivariate analysis and ordinal logistic regression were done to assess differences between the groups. Of the 239 National Guard members surveyed, deployed women (n= 164) had significantly higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD;p< .001) and lower coping skills (p= .003) than non-deployed women (n= 75). Perceptions of overall family functioning were higher among deployed when compared with never deployed women. Results indicate community interventions that focus on strengthening coping skills of female Guard members would be useful for this population.

PMID: 27076466 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]