Abstract
This study used data from the Military Health System Data Repository to examine the association between mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and work functioning such as work duty limitations, hospital emergency room visits and inpatient admissions for active-duty service members (ADSMs). Further, this study assessed the role that common symptoms of mTBI play in work functioning. Multivariate results showed that having a mTBI diagnosis is not a major factor that results in being “released with work duty limitations”. However, findings from these regression models also showed that the interaction of mTBI with cognitive and linguistic symptoms resulted in odds of 3.63 (CI: 1.40–9.36, p < 0.01) for being “released with work duty limitations” and odds of 4.98 (CI: 1.16–21.39, p < 0.05) for having any emergency department visits compared to those with no diagnosis of mTBI and none of these symptoms. Additionally, the interaction of mTBI with sleep disturbance and chronic pain showed odds of 2.72 (CI: 1.31–5.65, p < 0.01) and odds of 11.56 (CI: 2.65–50.44, p < 0.01) for being “released with work duty limitations” compared to those with no diagnosis of TBI and none of these symptoms, respectively. Further research is needed to investigate the association between mTBI and duration of time off work to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of mTBI on work functioning in the Military Health System.
Highlights
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between mild traumatic brain injuries and work functioning for active-duty service members (ADSMs) with a history of deployment
Work functioning is defined as ADSMs who returned to duty post-injury but have work duty limitations, have any hospital emergency room visits, inpatient admissions and length of stay for those with any hospital admissions
Multivariate generalized linear models showed that the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of staying longer in an inpatient hospital is 4.48 (CI: 2.92–6.87, p < 0.01) times greater for those with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) compared to those with no diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), holding all the covariates constant
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and work functioning for active-duty service members (ADSMs) with a history of deployment. Work functioning is defined as ADSMs who returned to duty post-injury but have work duty limitations, have any hospital emergency room visits, inpatient admissions and length of stay for those with any hospital admissions. The concept of work functioning here is consistent with the conceptual framework being proposed by Sandqvist and Henriksson [1]. In this framework, the authors defined work functioning as an intersection between work participation, work performance, and individual capacity. Using the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (formerly the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center) classification, the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
