Rheumatologic disease among Air Force recruits: a multimillion-dollar epidemic

A retrospective analysis of medical discharge diagnoses of Airmen Basic undergoing basic military training in the Air Force for a 1-year period from 1990 to 1991 was performed. The weighted variable cost to replace each recruit discharged was then used to estimate the cost to the Air Force attributable to rheumatologic disease. Musculoskeletal disorders were found to account for 67% of medical discharges, costing the Air Force at least 2.70 million dollars during the period under study. The patellofemoral syndrome, pes planus deformity, and low back pain were the most frequently encountered diagnoses.