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Long-Term Impact of Battle Injuries; Five-Year Follow-Up of Injured Dutch Servicemen in Afghanistan 2006-2010

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Listed:
  • Rigo Hoencamp
  • Floris J Idenburg
  • Thijs T C F van Dongen
  • Loes G M de Kruijff
  • Eelco P Huizinga
  • Marie-Christine J Plat
  • Erik Hoencamp
  • Luke P H Leenen
  • Jaap F Hamming
  • Eric Vermetten

Abstract

Objectives: Units deployed to armed conflicts are at high risk for exposure to combat events. Many battle casualties (BCs) have been reported in the recent deployment to Afghanistan. The long-term impact of these combat injuries, at their five-year end point, is currently unknown. To date, no systematic inventory has been performed of an identified group of BCs in comparison to non-injured service members from the same operational theatre. Design: Observational cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Open online survey among Dutch BCs that deployed to Afghanistan (2006–2010). Participants: The Dutch BCs (n = 62) were compared to two control groups of non-injured combat groups (battle exposed [n = 53], and non-battle exposed [n = 73]). Main Outcome Measures: Participants rated their impact of trauma exposure (Impact of Events [IES]), post deployment reintegration (Post Deployment Reintegration Scale [PDRS]), general symptoms of distress (Symptom Checklist 90 [SCL-90]), as well as their current perceived quality of life (EuroQol-6D [EQ-6D]). Also cost effectiveness (Short From health survey [SF-36]) and care consumption were assessed (Trimbos/iMTA questionnaire). Results: Over 90% of BCs were still in active duty. The mean scores of all questionnaires (IES, EQ-6D, SF-36, and SCL-90) of the BC group were significantly higher than in the control groups (p

Suggested Citation

  • Rigo Hoencamp & Floris J Idenburg & Thijs T C F van Dongen & Loes G M de Kruijff & Eelco P Huizinga & Marie-Christine J Plat & Erik Hoencamp & Luke P H Leenen & Jaap F Hamming & Eric Vermetten, 2015. "Long-Term Impact of Battle Injuries; Five-Year Follow-Up of Injured Dutch Servicemen in Afghanistan 2006-2010," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0115119
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115119
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