Relationship between clinician documented blast exposure and pulmonary function: a retrospective chart review from a national specialty clinic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Service member exposure to explosive blast overpressure waves is common with considerable attention to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neuropsychological sequalae. Less is known about the impacts on the respiratory system, particularly long-term effects, despite vulnerability to overpressure. Using a national registry, we previously observed an independent relationship between self-reported blast exposure and respiratory symptoms; however, the impact on objective measures of pulmonary function is poorly understood.

Methods

307 Veterans referred to our national specialty center for post-deployment health concerns underwent a comprehensive multi-day evaluation that included complete pulmonary function testing (PFT), occupational and environmental medicine history,

SUBMITTER: Therkorn JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188057 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature