Skin and soft tissue infections, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2013-2016

Area of Science:

• Military medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Public health

Background:

• Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a significant health burden in military populations.
• Previous research indicates operational significance and potential for antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence, trends, and risk factors of SSTIs in active component U.S. military members.
• To highlight the importance of prevention and early treatment strategies for SSTIs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of incident SSTI cases over a 4-year surveillance period.
• Inclusion of inpatient and outpatient diagnoses for active component U.S. military personnel.
• Calculation of incidence rates per 10,000 person-years (p-yrs).

Main Results:

• Over 282,000 incident SSTI cases were recorded, with an overall incidence of 558.2 per 10,000 p-yrs.
• Annual incidence rates decreased by 46.6% during the surveillance period.
• Higher SSTI rates were observed in younger service members, trainees, and junior enlisted personnel.

Conclusions:

• SSTIs are a substantial issue in the U.S. military, necessitating targeted prevention.
• The decline in incidence suggests potential effectiveness of interventions, but high rates persist in specific demographics.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, particularly in high-risk settings like recruit training.