Military Medicine

Our medical research library holds 8 studies published in Military Medicine (1981–2008). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 7 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Published: 1955 to the present, England
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0026-4075 (print), 1930-613X (electronic)
• Continues: Military Surgeon
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2000s

• Variability in interpretation among B-readers in the U.S. Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program. J.G. Muller, J.M. Lieske, J.E. Hernandez, et al. 2008;173(4):375-80. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  U.S. Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program B-reading reports were analyzed for variability in identifying pneumoconiosis in 278,944 chest radiographs done from 1990 to 2004 using commercial database and statistical software. Reported presence of pneumoconiosis by 33 B-readers ranged from 1.85 to 32.28%. The reported presence of parenchymal abnormalities ranged from 0.11 to 15.07%; increased profusion (to 1/0 or greater) of small parenchymal opacities ranged from 0.10 to 17.70%; presence of large opacities ranged from 0.00 to 0.67%; and presence of pleural abnormalities ranged from 1.08 to 23.93%. Ranges appear to be decreasing slightly as rates of abnormal findings are diminishing. Differences between U.S. East Coast, West Coast, and midcontinent were not statistically significant.

• Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program 1990-1999: demographic features and trends in abnormal radiographic findings. D.M. Dell, B.K. Bohnker, J.G. Muller, et al. 2006;171(8):717-22. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  A 10-year cross-sectional analysis was conducted for 233,353 radiographic examinations performed as part of the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program. Demographic and temporal trends in abnormal radiographs were assessed during this analysis. Abnormal radiograph prevalence increased significantly with age, and abnormal radiographs were nearly 30 times more likely to occur among participants 60 to 69 years of age, compared with participants < 20 years of age (odds ratio, 27.57; 95% confidence interval, 14.75-51.53). Men were 5 times more likely than women to have an abnormal radiograph (odds ratio, 5.84; 95% confidence interval, 5.02-6.80); after controlling for differences in age, this gender association remained significant only for participants > 30 years of age. The proportion of abnormal radiographs decreased significantly over the study period [chi2 (df = 1) test for trend, chi2 = 198.7, p < 0.0001], although the cohort mean age increased. Despite aging of the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program population, the overall prevalence of radiographic abnormalities is declining; future studies should examine the reasons for this observation.

• Preventive medicine in Task Force 1st Armored Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. M.D. Harris, C.R. Johnson. 2006;171(9):807-12. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Task Force 1st Armored Division (TF1AD) deployed to Baghdad and South Central Iraq from April 2003 through July 2004. TF1AD preventive medicine had responsibility for ensuring divisional force health protection, including soldier health, disease and nonbattle injury mitigation, health promotion, and civil affairs operations. Heat injury, diarrheal disease, skin and respiratory disease, and eye and musculoskeletal injury rates were high. Command emphasis and preventive medicine action resulted in better living conditions and personal sanitation. To counter the threat, the TF1AD preventive medicine/ division surgeon team used a "spiraling out" approach that focused attention first on hand-washing, potable water, vector control, waste disposal, and food sanitation and later on noise, asbestos, environmental contamination, and radiation. In April 2004, TF1AD shifted focus to the Multinational Division Central-South region of Iraq and many similar problems occurred as in May 2003, although they were less severe, in part because of the lessons learned in Baghdad.

• Trends in pleural radiographic findings in the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (1990-1999). J.G. Muller, B.K. Bohnker, A.F. Philippi, et al. 2005;170(5):375-80. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The U.S. Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program is a comprehensive effort to decrease exposure to asbestos, a known health hazard. This study was part of a programmatic review of the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program database, which included 233,353 radiographic examinations from 1990 to 1999. The initial review focused on incidental findings recorded by B-readers for 23,460 radiographs. Abnormalities reported included bullae (0.68%), cancer (0.56%), cardiac size/ shape abnormalities (1.36%), emphysema (0.74%), subpleural fat (2.62%), fractured ribs (1.24%), hilar adenopathy (0.13%), ill-defined diaphragm (0.46%), ill-defined heart border (0.29%), Kerley lines (0.06%), pleural thickening (2.35%), and tuberculosis (0.27%). The rates by age cohort for pleural abnormalities decreased significantly (30-39 years, chi2 for trend = 23.49, df = 1; 40-49 years, chi2 for trend = 176.21; 50-59 years, chi2 for trend = 401.87), but findings were not significantly different for those > or =60 years of age. This suggests that sequential age cohorts in the program are developing fewer pleural abnormalities; pleural abnormalities have historically been associated with asbestos exposure.

• Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (1984-1990): linear regression analysis for effect of asbestos exposure on pulmonary function testing. B.K. Bohnker, L.S. Betts, D.M. Sack, et al. 2004;169(8):613-9. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  This study examined records from the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program for 1984 through 1990 for Caucasian men (N = 129,598) using a population-based, cross-sectional, linear regression model. Continuous dependent variables were forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity (FVC), and continuous independent variables were age, height, weight, and tobacco use. A mid-period estimate of asbestos exposure was used because those values were reported as categorical variables. With asbestos exposure, forced expiratory volume in 1 s changed -3.2 cm3/year (t = -8.6, p = 0.000), and forced vital capacity changed -5.1 cm3/year (t = -11.8, p = 0.00). Those with more than 5 years of asbestos exposure demonstrated impairment over those with less exposure, and those with more than 15 years of exposure demonstrated even more impairment. These findings support the association of pulmonary function impairment with asbestos exposure for workers studied during this period.

• Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (1991-1999): linear regression analysis for the effect of asbestos exposure on pulmonary function testing. B.K. Bohnker, L.S. Betts, D.M. Sack, et al. 2004;169(8):620-6. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The effect of asbestos exposure on pulmonary function was studied using data from the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program. Records were selected for Caucasian men from 1991 to 1999 (N = 89,318) and were analyzed using a cross-sectional, linear regression model. Dependent variables were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), with independent continuous variables of age, height, weight, smoking, and asbestos history. Overall, the continuous variable for asbestos exposure demonstrated significant protection of +1.1 cm3/year (t = 3.278, p = 0.001) for FEV1 and +1.6 cm3/year (t = 4.225, p = 0.000) for FVC. There was significant interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking history (FEV1, -0.09 cm3/year2, t = -6.467, p = 0.000; FVC, -0.097 cm3/year2, t = -5.663, p = 0.000). This study suggests that workers within the program demonstrated minimal additional pulmonary function changes during the period, particularly if they do not smoke tobacco. The study also supports continuing smoking cessation efforts for all asbestos-exposed workers.

• Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program, 1995-1999: demographic characteristics and smoking status. B.K. Bohnker, L.S. Betts, D.M. Sack, et al. 2001;166(11):966-71. PubMed

  Abstract

  A descriptive study of the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program is presented from data provided by the Navy Environmental Health Center in Norfolk, Virginia, with an emphasis on demographic characteristics and smoking. Analysis of 79,598 physical examinations for the period 1995 to 1999 revealed that Navy and Marine Corps civil service employees constituted 90% and Navy active duty personnel constituted 9%. Most personnel reported "no current exposure, have prior exposure" to asbestos (Navy active duty, 77%; civil service employees, 61%). Current smoking rates per year decreased for Navy active duty (from 34.6% to 28.7%) and civil service workers (from 26.0% to 21.6%), both reductions being significant for trend. Logistic regression for current smoking showed higher rates for Navy active duty and those with "direct" asbestos exposure, whereas those 50 years or older and of Asian ethnicity had lower smoking rates. These findings provide programmatic insights for the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program and suggest areas for further study.

1980s

• Asbestos related diseases: a review. G. Zaloga. 1981;146(6):413-5, 419. PubMed

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