Service-connected Disability Rating Research Articles

Patterns of Psychiatric Medication Prescriptions for Veterans in Treatment Courts and Other Specialty Courts.

Psychiatric medications can serve as important tools for addressing behavioral health issues among criminal justice-involved (CJI) veterans. This study used national data on 12,790 CJI veterans in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach program from 2019 to 2020 to compare patterns of psychiatric medication prescriptions among veterans who entered a veterans treatment court (n = 6975), another specialty court (SC; n = 414), or no-SC (n = 5401). Different classes of medications were examined, including antidepressants, stimulants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and medications for substance use disorders. The results showed that 60.2% of the total sample was prescribed a psychiatric medication within 1 year of entering the Veterans Justice Outreach program. There was no significant difference in overall psychiatric prescribing among veterans treatment court, other SC, and no-SC groups, but there were a few differences in certain classes of psychiatric medications. Moreover, about 7.8% of veterans who were in the no-SC group and were prescribed psychiatric medications did not have a psychiatric diagnosis. Veterans who were younger, non-Hispanic white, married, with a VA service-connected disability rating, had a diagnosis of mental and/or substance use disorder, and used more VA health care services were more likely to have been prescribed psychiatric medication. Together, these findings illustrate the essential role of psychiatric medications in courts and programs that serve CJI veterans, as well as the important link between VA service engagement and psychiatric prescriptions.

Characteristics associated with persistent versus transient food insecurity among US veterans screened in the Veteran Health Administration.

Awareness of negative health impacts associated with food insecurity among US veterans is growing. Yet, little research has examined characteristics associated with persistent versus transient food insecurity. To investigate characteristics associated with persistent versus transient food insecurity among US veterans. The study used a retrospective, observational design to examine data from Veteran Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records. The sample consisted of veterans (N=64,789) who screened positive for food insecurity in VHA primary care during fiscal years 2018-2020 and were rescreened within 3-15 months. Food insecurity was operationalized using the VHA food insecurity screening question. Transient food insecurity was a positive screen followed by a consecutive negative screen within 3-15 months. Persistent food insecurity was a positive screen followed by a consecutive positive screen within 3-15 months. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess characteristics (e.g., demographics, disability rating, homelessness, physical and mental health conditions) associated with persistent versus transient food insecurity. Veterans with increased odds of persistent versus transient food insecurity included men (AOR=1.08, 95%CI[1.01, 1.15]) and those from Hispanic (AOR=1.27, 95%CI[1.18, 1.37]) or Native American (AOR=1.30, 95%CI[1.11, 1.53]) racial/ethnic groups. Psychosis (AOR=1.16, 95%CI[1.06, 1.26]), substance use disorder excluding tobacco/alcohol (AOR=1.11, 95%CI[1.03, 1.20]), and homelessness (AOR=1.32, 95%CI[1.26, 1.39]) were associated with increased odds of persistent versus transient food insecurity. Veterans who were married (AOR=0.87, 95%CI[0.83, 0.92]) or had service-connected disability rating of 70-99% (AOR=0.85, 95%CI[0.79, 0.90]) or 100% (AOR=0.77, 95%CI[0.71, 0.83]) had lower odds of persistent versus transient food insecurity. Veterans at risk for persistent versus transient food insecurity may struggle with underlying issues like psychosis, substance use, and homelessness alongside racial/ethnic inequities and gender differences. More research is needed to understand characteristics and mechanisms that increase risk for persistent versus transient food insecurity among veterans.

Outcomes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression and predictors of treatment response in Veterans Health Administration patients

BackgroundAcceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression (ACT-D) is a promising depression treatment which has not been evaluated on a large scale within VA. This study aimed to evaluate ACT-D's effectiveness in a national, treatment-seeking sample of Veterans. MethodsThe sample comprised 831 Veterans who received a primary depression diagnosis and received at least two sessions of ACT-D during fiscal years 2015–2020. We used GLM to measure predictors of symptom change, treatment response (50 % reduction in PHQ-9 and AAQ-II scores), subthreshold depression symptoms (PHQ-9 < 10; AAQ-II < 27), and treatment completion. ResultsVeterans experienced an average reduction of 3.39 points on the PHQ-9 (Cohen's d = 0.56) and 3.76 points on the AAQ-II (Cohen's d = 0.43). On the PHQ-9, 40 % achieved subthreshold depression symptoms. On the AAQ-II, 36 % of Veterans achieved subthreshold psychological inflexibility scores. Service-connected disability rating for depression and higher levels of medical comorbidity were both related to lower levels of overall depression symptom change and treatment response. Substance use disorder and bipolar/psychosis diagnoses were associated with greater reductions in psychological inflexibility. LimitationsThis is an observational study without a control group, so we were unable to compare the effectiveness of ACT-D to other usual care for depression. We were also unable to assess variables that can influence treatment success, such as therapist fidelity and patient engagement. ConclusionsACT-D achieved similar improvements in depression as reported in controlled trials. Adaptations to ACT-D may be needed to improve outcomes for Veterans with depression and comorbid PTSD.

Supported Employment for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury History: Is it Working?

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To examine characteristics and employment outcomes among Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) history enrolled in Supported Employment. This program provides intense, individualized supported for individuals whose disabilities interfere with finding and maintaining employment. Supported Employment providers work closely with the Veteran's clinical treatment team, Veterans, and employers to ensure clinical and vocational supports are provided to facilitate workplace success. <h3>Design</h3> Review of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative and electronic medical record data collected between 2020-2022. <h3>Setting</h3> 12 VA medical centers. <h3>Participants</h3> Veterans with TBI history. <h3>Interventions</h3> Supported Employment. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Employment status. <h3>Results</h3> 92 Veterans with TBI history were referred to a VA Supported Employment program. They were primarily male (96%), White (74%), non-Hispanic (85%), Post-9/11 Veterans (59%) with an average age of 41 ± 10.4 years. The majority (83%) received VA service-connected disability compensation for up to 29 health conditions, and 30% were 100% service-connected. The majority were referred by the Polytrauma/TBI clinic (53%). At enrollment, they had been unemployed for 5 months (median). To date, half (51%) obtained at least 1 job within approximately 3 months (median = 97 days) of Supported Employment program entry. Incarceration history, current homelessness, and level of service-connected disability rating did not differ among Veterans who did or did not obtain employment (all ps > .05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The majority of Veterans with TBI history and co-occurring military-related health conditions have demonstrated success in obtaining employment within a relatively short amount of time following enrollment in a Supported Employment program. Health and psychosocial factors that may be barriers to employment were not associated with obtaining a job, underscoring the effectiveness of Supported Employment services for Veterans with TBI history who may otherwise have employment challenges. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have no conflicts to declare.

The relationship between parental disability and child outcomes: Evidence from veteran Families

We examine the relationship between parental disability and child outcomes in the American Community Survey. We focus on families with veteran parents, for whom parental disability is a direct result of service-related activities and thus is more plausibly exogenous to child outcomes than other forms of parental disability. Using the service connected disability rating (SCDR) as a measure of the severity of veteran disability, we document a gradient in child outcomes with respect to parental disability (even conditional on having a disabled parent). Children with more severely disabled parents are more likely to be late for grade, less likely to be in private school, and more likely to have disabilities themselves. These results lend meaningful insight to broader populations; we find similar associations between parental disability and child outcomes in non-veteran families. We provide evidence consistent with two broad mechanisms: first, parental disability reduces parental labor supply and thus household income (even net of transfers) and second, children-especially older children-allocate time away from work and schooling to provide care for disabled parents.

The Magnitude and Potential Causes of Sex Disparities in Statin Therapy in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes: A 10-year Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Past research has shown that women eligible for statin therapy are less likely than their male counterparts to receive any statin therapy or be prescribed a statin at the guideline-recommended intensity. We compared statin treatment in men and women veterans from a national cohort of older veterans with type 2 diabetes. The Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were used to create a unique dataset and perform a longitudinal study of veterans with type 2 diabetes from 2007 to 2016. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to model the association between the primary exposure (sex) and statin use. The study included 714,212 veterans with diabetes, including 9,608 women, with an overall mean age of 75.9years. In the unadjusted model for any statin use, women veterans had a 14% significantly lower odds of having any statin use compared with men. After adjusting for all covariates, including markers of Veterans Administration care use (service-connected disability rating, Veterans Administration use, and primary care visits) that serve as proxies for access and mental health comorbidities (depression and psychiatric disorder), this disparity narrowed from 14% to 3% and was no longer statistically significant. In the model for high-intensity statin therapy (high-intensity vs. low or none), women were 10% less likely than men to use high-intensity statins in the base model that included only time and sex. After adjusting for all measured covariates, the direction of the association changed and women had 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.31). Consistent with prior research, in the unadjusted analysis a significant sex disparity was observed in statin use, with lower rates observed in women. For the outcome of any statin use, after adjustment for covariates that included variables that are proxies for access as well as psychiatric and depression comorbidities, this disparity lost statistical significance and narrowed. In the high-intensity statin versus low or none model, the direction of the association changed after controlling for measured covariates and women had a 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men. This study highlights a persistent health disparity in lipid-lowering therapy for women veterans. Additional research is needed to further elucidate the reasons for and develop interventions to mitigate this persistent sex disparity in cholesterol management for veterans with diabetes.

Does Psychosocial Functioning Improve With Prolonged Exposure in Veterans With PTSD?: Exploring Traditional and Home-Based Telehealth Delivery Methods.

The current study explored whether prolonged exposure (PE), delivered in person or via home-based telehealth, had a therapeutic effect on psychosocial functioning in combat Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of home-based telehealth on these metrics were also evaluated. In addition, we examined whether race, type of war conflict, and service-connected disability rating moderated the effect of PE on psychosocial functioning and whether PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression mediated the effect of PE on psychosocial functioning. We did not find moderating or mediating effects in our study. Improvements in PTSD, depression, and anxiety were associated with improvements in psychosocial functioning. We did not identify statistically significant differences in scores representing change in overall and each domain of psychosocial functioning between groups. Within-group analysis indicated psychosocial functioning improved in both groups but was mostly not statistically significant. However, some clinically relevant improvement may have occurred. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59(2), 31-40.].

Factors associated with employment and work perception in combat-exposed veterans.

The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (a) to evaluate whether perception of work ability is associated with employment status in a sample of combat-exposed veterans, and (b) to determine whether the same sets of variables that are associated with employment status are also associated with perception of work ability. Research Method/Design: In this cross-sectional study, veterans (N = 83) underwent a neuropsychological assessment and completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, combat-related experiences, and psychiatric and neurobehavioral/health-related symptoms. Primary outcomes of interest were employment status (unemployed vs. employed) and veterans' perception of whether their ability to work has declined due to an ongoing condition (yes vs. no). A chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between perception of work ability and employment status. Additionally, psychiatric and neurobehavioral/health-related symptoms were associated with employment status and perception of work ability, whereas demographic characteristics (i.e., service-connected disability rating) and combat-related experiences (i.e., mTBI history) were only associated with perception of work ability. Objective cognitive functioning was not associated with employment status or perception of work ability. Although preliminary, results suggest that perception of work ability is an important factor to consider when evaluating employment-related outcomes in veterans. Moreover, results indicate that while there is some overlap among the variables associated with employment status and perception of work ability, additional variables are linked with perception of work ability. Taken together, these findings suggest that perception of one's ability to work and factors that influence it may be particularly important treatment targets in the veteran population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Disability Rating and 1-Year Mortality Among Veterans With Service-Connected Health Conditions.

Military service is associated with an increased risk of disability and death after discharge. This study determined the relationships among characteristics, disability ratings, and 1-year mortality risks of veterans receiving compensation for service-connected health conditions (ie, conditions related to illnesses or injuries incurred or aggravated during military service). This study included 4 010 720 living veterans who had ≥1 service-connected health condition and were receiving disability compensation on October 1, 2016. We obtained data on veteran demographic, military service, and disability characteristics from the Veterans Benefits Administration VETSNET file and on 1-year mortality from the Veterans Administration vital status file. We compared veteran characteristics and 1-year mortality rates within and between the following combined service-connected disability rating categories: low, 10% to 40% disability; medium, 50% to 90% disability; high, 100% disability. We used logistic regression analysis to determine the relationships between disability ratings and 1-year mortality rates. Of 4 010 720 veterans, 515 095 (12.8%) had high disability ratings, 1 600 786 (39.9%) had medium disability ratings, and 1 894 839 (47.2%) had low disability ratings. The 1-year mortality rates were 4.5% for those with high disability, 1.9% for those with medium disability, and 1.9% for those with low disability ratings. Compared with veterans with low disability ratings, veterans with high disability ratings had more than twice the odds of 1-year mortality (odds ratio = 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-2.50). The combined disability rating is an important determinant of short-term survival among veterans with service-connected health conditions. Veterans with a 100% disability rating comprise a highly select group with increased short-term risk of death due at least in part to their military service. Future studies assessing the relationships among combat exposure, age, duration of disability, disability ratings, and survival would be valuable.

The impact of service-connected disability and therapist experience on outcomes from prolonged exposure therapy with veterans.

Although prolonged exposure therapy (PE) has been shown to be effective in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a sizable minority do not benefit. Examining patient and therapist characteristics that impact treatment outcome may improve treatment delivery and identify individuals who are less likely to respond to treatment or are at risk to prematurely discontinue treatment. The current study uses a sample from a large urban Veterans' Affairs (VA) hospital to build on a previous report that identified correlates of treatment outcome for Veterans who received PE. Two hundred eighty-seven veterans completed measures of PTSD, depression, and quality of life at the beginning and end of treatment. Veterans' service-connected disability rating, therapist experience, benzodiazepine prescription, and traumatic brain injury diagnosis were investigated as predictors of treatment outcome in linear regression analyses. Results showed that Veterans with a service-connected disability for a mental health condition had smaller treatment gains than those without service connection (p < .01). Additionally, results showed that patients treated by certified PE therapists had larger treatment gains than those treated by noncertified PE therapists (p < .01). Finally, younger age and therapist certification were associated with dropout from treatment (p < .05). Veterans treated by PE-certified therapists and Veterans who were not service-connected for a mental health condition fared better in treatment. Results suggest that additional study of both the national effort to train VA clinicians in PE and the impact of service connection on PTSD treatment outcome may be helpful for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record

Rooted in the Community: Assessing the Reintegration Effects of Agriculture on Rural Veterans

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a veteran-oriented community agricultural initiative on transitioning rural veterans. DesignConvergent mixed-method program evaluation. SettingVeteran-oriented farm-to-market community agricultural initiative. ParticipantsVeterans (N=43) who were members of the community agricultural initiative. Main Outcome MeasuresHealth, well-being, and reintegration were assessed by self-reported data from interviews, a demographic survey, a validated health quality of life measure (Veterans RAND-12 [VR-12]), a validated reintegration measure (Military to Civilian Questionnaire), and a general satisfaction survey. ResultsVeteran participants were primarily white (88.4%, n=38) and men (74.4%, n=32), and most had a service-connected disability rating (58.2%, n=25). Qualitative and quantitative data revealed that the veterans participating in this community agricultural initiative experienced health and reintegration benefits. Results on the Military to Civilian Questionnaire, VR-12, and satisfaction survey suggest that participating in this community agricultural initiative contributed to improved mental, physical, and emotional health and vocational skills, community connectedness, and interpersonal communication. Qualitative interviews supported quantitative findings and revealed that participating in the community agricultural initiative provided veterans with a sense of satisfaction, a sense of belonging, and helped decrease the stigma surrounding their veteran status. ConclusionsVeterans who participate in this community agricultural initiative reported general improvements in physical and mental health, including improvements in sleep, nutrition, and exercise, and decreases in anxiety, pain, depression, and medication and substance use, all known factors which effect veteran reintegration.

Infertility care among OEF/OIF/OND women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An increasing number of young women Veterans seek reproductive health care through the VA, yet little is known regarding the provision of infertility care for this population. The VA provides a range of infertility services for Veterans including artificial insemination, but does not provide in vitro fertilization. This study will be the first to characterize infertility care among OEF/OIF/OND women Veterans using VA care. We analyzed data from the OEF/OIF/OND roster file from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC)-Contingency Tracking System Deployment file of military discharges from October 1, 2001-December 30, 2010, which includes 68,442 women Veterans between the ages of 18 and 45 who utilized VA health care after separating from military service. We examined the receipt of infertility diagnoses and care using ICD-9 and CPT codes. Less than 2% (n=1323) of OEF/OIF/OND women Veterans received an infertility diagnosis during the study period. Compared with women VA users without infertility diagnosis, those with infertility diagnosis were younger, obese, black, or Hispanic, have a service-connected disability rating, a positive screen for military sexual trauma, and a mental health diagnosis. Overall, 22% of women with an infertility diagnosis received an infertility assessment or treatment. Thirty-nine percent of women Veterans receiving infertility assessment or treatment received this care from non-VA providers. Overall, a small proportion of OEF/OIF/OND women Veterans received infertility diagnoses from the VA during the study period, and an even smaller proportion received infertility treatment. Nearly 40% of those who received infertility treatments received these treatments from non-VA providers, indicating that the VA may need to examine the training and resources needed to provide this care within the VA. Understanding women's use of VA infertility services is an important component of understanding VA's commitment to comprehensive medical care for women Veterans.

Examination of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation as a Disincentive for Employment in a Population-Based Sample of Veterans Under Age 65

Concerns that disability benefits may create disincentives for employment may be especially relevant for young American military veterans, particularly veterans of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are facing a current economic recession and turning in large numbers to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for disability compensation. This study describes the rate of employment and VA disability compensation among a nationally representative sample of veterans under the age of 65 and examines the association between levels of VA disability compensation and employment, adjusting for sociodemographics and health status. Data on a total of 4,787 veterans from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans were analyzed using multinomial logistic regressions to compare employed veterans with two groups that were not employed. Two-thirds of veterans under the age of 65 were employed, although only 36 % of veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 50 % or higher were employed. Veterans who received no VA disability compensation or who were service-connected 50 % or more were more likely to be unemployed and not looking for employment than veterans who were not service-connected or were service-connected less than 50 %, suggesting high but not all levels of VA disability compensation create disincentives for employment. Results were similar when analyses were limited to veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Education and vocational rehabilitation interventions, as well as economic work incentives, may be needed to maximize employment among veterans with disabilities.

Integrating Depression Care: The Time Has Come

Integrating Depression Care: The Time Has Come

Gender and the Use of Veterans Health Administration Homeless Services Programs Among Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans

Female Veterans comprise 12% of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans, the largest proportion of women to serve of any prior cohort. We sought to determine the sex-specific risk of using a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) homeless program among OEF/OIF Veterans and to identify factors associated with increased risk of program use for women compared with men. We included OEF/OIF Veterans with at least 1 VHA clinical visit between October 1, 2001, and September 30, 2009. The study's outcome was the time to first use of a VHA homeless program. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to estimate the relative risk of using a homeless program by sex, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and clinical variables. Exploratory analyses examined interactions between sex and all covariates. Of 445,319 Veterans, 7431 (1.7%) used a VHA homeless program, of which 961 were females (1.8%), and 6470 were males (1.7%) during a median follow-up period of 3.20 years. Women were as likely as men to use a homeless program (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.09); median time to first use was similar for female and male Veterans (1.88 vs. 1.88 y, respectively, P=0.53). In exploratory analyses, we found increased risk of program use for women compared with men for the following subgroups: ages 26-35 years, 100% service-connected disability rating, posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, and northeast location. Overall, there was no substantial difference in the sex-specific risk of using a VHA homeless program. In light of this finding, VHA homeless programs must be prepared to recognize and address the unique needs of female OEF/OIF Veterans.

Depression and poor adherence to lipid-lowering medications among patients with coronary artery disease

Past research has shown that women eligible for statin therapy are less likely than their male counterparts to receive any statin therapy or be prescribed a statin at the guideline-recommended intensity. We compared statin treatment in men and women veterans from a national cohort of older veterans with type 2 diabetes.The Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were used to create a unique dataset and perform a longitudinal study of veterans with type 2 diabetes from 2007 to 2016. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to model the association between the primary exposure (sex) and statin use.The study included 714,212 veterans with diabetes, including 9,608 women, with an overall mean age of 75.9 years. In the unadjusted model for any statin use, women veterans had a 14% significantly lower odds of having any statin use compared with men. After adjusting for all covariates, including markers of Veterans Administration care use (service-connected disability rating, Veterans Administration use, and primary care visits) that serve as proxies for access and mental health comorbidities (depression and psychiatric disorder), this disparity narrowed from 14% to 3% and was no longer statistically significant. In the model for high-intensity statin therapy (high-intensity vs. low or none), women were 10% less likely than men to use high-intensity statins in the base model that included only time and sex. After adjusting for all measured covariates, the direction of the association changed and women had 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.31).Consistent with prior research, in the unadjusted analysis a significant sex disparity was observed in statin use, with lower rates observed in women. For the outcome of any statin use, after adjustment for covariates that included variables that are proxies for access as well as psychiatric and depression comorbidities, this disparity lost statistical significance and narrowed. In the high-intensity statin versus low or none model, the direction of the association changed after controlling for measured covariates and women had a 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men. This study highlights a persistent health disparity in lipid-lowering therapy for women veterans. Additional research is needed to further elucidate the reasons for and develop interventions to mitigate this persistent sex disparity in cholesterol management for veterans with diabetes.

Off-Label Use of Antipsychotic Medications in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of prescribing antipsychotics to adults without schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and to identify factors associated with such off-label use. Patients with at least one prescription for an antipsychotic medication from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during fiscal year (FY) 2007 were identified in national VA administrative databases. Rates of off-label antipsychotic use were determined along with average doses. Multivariate logistic regression models identified sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with off-label use. Of the 279,778 individuals in FY 2007 who received an antipsychotic medication, 168,442 (60.2%) had no record of a diagnosis for which these drugs are approved. The most common mental illness diagnoses among patients given prescriptions for antipsychotics off label were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 41.8%), minor depression (39.5%), major depression (23.4%), and anxiety disorder (20.0%). Among VA patients with mental illness other than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the proportion who received prescriptions for antipsychotic medications ranged from a low of 9.1% among patients with adjustment reaction; to about 20% for those with depression, dementia, or PTSD; and to a high of 40.7% among patients with other psychoses. Doses were low, with over half of patients who received off-label quetiapine, risperidone, or first-generation antipsychotics receiving doses below those recommended for schizophrenia. In logistic regression models, patients diagnosed as having other psychosis or dementia had the highest odds of receiving an antipsychotic medication off label. Off-label use of antipsychotic medications was common. Given that these drugs are expensive, have potentially severe side effects, and have limited evidence supporting their effectiveness for off-label usage, they should be used with greater caution.

Depression Screening Disparities Among Veterans With Diabetes Compared With the General Veteran Population

We sought to describe the proportion of veterans with diabetes screened for depression compared with the general population of veterans. Electronic medical records (fiscal years 2001-2004) from a Midwestern Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility and VHA External Peer Review Program (EPRP) data were used for the study. Facility-level data included inpatient and outpatient encounters, which included depression screen results. EPRP data were facility-level summary data, which detailed the proportion of general population veterans nationwide and patients at the Midwestern facility who were screened for depression. Logistic regression tested for associations between depression screen receipt and screening positive and demographic/clinical characteristics among patients with diabetes. Depression screening among those with diabetes improved from 62% in fiscal year 2001 to 83% in 2004. Screening was 9-23% lower and 11-22% lower in patients with diabetes compared with the general population of veterans nationwide and patients at the Midwestern facility, respectively. Seventeen percent of subjects with diabetes screened positive, which is two times higher than in the general population. Women (odds ratio 0.45 [95% CI 0.35-0.60]) and subjects with unknown A1C (0.40 [0.34-0.46]) were less likely to be screened for depression. A >or=50% service-connected disability rating was inversely associated with screening (0.84 [0.72-0.99]) but positively associated with screening positive for depression (1.56 [1.33-1.82]). Screening for depression among veterans with diabetes improved 21% but is considerably lower than the proportion of general population veterans screened nationally and at the facility of interest. Targeted interventions to improve screening in patients with diabetes are required based on evidence that screening translates into increased provider recognition and treatment of depression.

Utilization of Medical Services by Veterans Health Study (VHS) Respondents

The first objective of this study was to profile Veterans Health Study (VHS) respondents' use of medical services-the types of services used, use of a regular source of care, and the propensity to use services for selected symptoms. We focused on differential use of VA and non-VA services and highlighted differences in use by age group. The second objective was to use multivariate analysis to identify factors associated with respondents' use of any medical services and with VA services specifically. We incorporated 2 self-reported variables not used in previous studies of VA utilization-health status and disease burden. Patients receiving ambulatory care services in 4 VA ambulatory outpatient clinics in the greater Boston area were eligible for inclusion in the VHS. A sample of 2425 community-dwelling male veterans was randomly selected from among veterans receiving ambulatory services at Boston-area VA facilities. This analysis focuses on 1909 respondents for whom we had complete data. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect cross-sectional, observational data on sociodemographic, economic, and clinical characteristics; health status; disease burden; and service-connected disability (SCD) rating. To measure health status, we used 2 summary measures, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS), derived from the 8 scales of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Health Survey (MOS SF-36). To measure disease burden, we used the Physical Comorbidity Index (PHYCI) and Mental Comorbidity Index (MENCI), composed of 30 physical and 6 mental health conditions and symptoms, respectively. Information on the availability of non-VA insurance was obtained from administrative VA files. Information on utilization prior to the interview was self-reported. Recall periods of 3 and 12 months were used for ambulatory and inpatient services, respectively. We used descriptive statistics to profile respondents and their utilization patterns. We used multivariate probit models to identify respondent characteristics associated with use of any medical services, medical visits, mental health visits, and hospital stays. Independent variables used in the models were socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and measures of disease burden, health status, and VA eligibility. The respondents relied heavily on the VA for medical care: 74% of the respondents said the VA was their regular source of care; 72% of all the respondents and 87% of those who had used any medical service in the recall period had used a VA service; 68% of those who were hospitalized used a VA hospital; and 76% of the medical care the respondents received and 60% of their hospital stays were in VA facilities. Younger veterans (aged 22-44) used substantially more mental health services than older respondents, but they were less likely than older veterans to have seen a doctor recently for most of the medical symptoms studied. PHYCI and PCS were significantly related to use of any medical services and to use of inpatient services; MENCI and MCS were significantly related to use of mental health services (P<.05 for each, respectively). Lower income and lack of alternatives to VA care were directly related to use of any VA services and VA inpatient services. Information on the reasons for differential use of VA and non-VA services can be useful to the VA as it serves an aging veteran population, seeks to provide comprehensive care to a wider spectrum of veterans, and moves into a more competitive healthcare marketplace.