There has been a threefold increase in new cases of self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among combat-exposed military personnel since 2001, according to a study published on bmj.com.
Concerns have been raised about the health impact of military deployment. Studies have estimated as many as 30% of Vietnam War veterans developed post-traumatic stress disorder at some point following the war and, among 1991 Gulf War veterans, as many as 10% were reported to have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms years after returning from deployment.
So researchers in San Diego analysed the effect of deployment on over 50,000 military personnel who were taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study (a large 22-year study of the health of US military personnel).
Baseline data were obtained between July 2001 and June 2003 (before the wars in Iraq and Afganistan) and participants were surveyed about their health three years later (June 2004 to February 2006).
Combat exposure was assessed and new onset post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were measured using recognised criteria. Other information, such as cigarette smoking and problem alcohol drinking, was also recorded.
Over 40% of participants were deployed between 2001 and 2006; 24% deployed for the first time in support of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan between baseline and follow-up.
New onset post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis were reported by up to 87 per 1000 combat-deployed personnel and up to 21 per 1000 non-combat deployed personnel.
New onset symptoms were proportionately higher among participants who were female, divorced, enlisted, and in those who reported being a current smoker or problem drinker at baseline.