Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

System for Focal, Closed-System Central Nervous System Injury
Published on: November 29, 2024
What pre-deployment and early post-deployment factors predict health function after combat deployment?: a prospective
Lisa M McAndrew1, Elizabeth D'Andrea, Shou-En Lu
1Department of Veterans Affairs, NJ War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA. Lisa.mcandrew@va.gov
Background:
Physical and mental function are strong indicators of disability and mortality. OEF/OIF Veterans returning from deployment have been found to have poorer function than soldiers who have not deployed; however the reasons for this are unknown.
Methods:
A prospective cohort of 790 soldiers was assessed both pre- and immediately after deployment to determine predictors of physical and mental function after war.
Results:
On average, OEF/OIF Veterans showed significant declines in both physical (t=6.65, p<.0001) and mental function (t=7.11, p<.0001). After controlling for pre-deployment function, poorer physical function after deployment was associated with older age, more physical symptoms, blunted systolic blood pressure reactivity and being injured. After controlling for pre-deployment function, poorer mental function after deployment was associated with younger age, lower social desirability, lower social support, greater physical symptoms and greater PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions:
Combat deployment was associated with an immediate decline in both mental and physical function. The relationship of combat deployment to function is complex and influenced by demographic, psychosocial, physiological and experiential factors. Social support and physical symptoms emerged as potentially modifiable factors.
Related Concept Videos
Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
Longitudinal Research
Cognitive Dissonance
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
