Association Between Predeployment Optimism and Onset of Postdeployment Pain in US Army Soldiers

Abstract

Key Points Question Are higher levels of predeployment optimism among US Army soldiers associated with fewer reports of new pain after deployment? Findings Among 20 734 US Army soldiers in this longitudinal cohort study, optimism was associated with 11% lower odds of reporting new postdeployment pain, even while adjusting for demographic, military, and combat factors, including traumatic experiences and combat injury. In addition, 37.3% of soldiers reported pain in at least 1 new area of the body after deployment. Meaning The findings suggest that soldiers with low levels of predeployment optimism may be at greater risk of developing new postdeployment pain and may benefit from scalable interventions designed to increase optimism.

Pain after combat injury in male UK military personnel deployed to Afghanistan

“… 37 , 38 For example, just under half of a US cohort of military personnel reported a new onset of low back pain after deployment, unrelated to injury. 15 Pain after combat injury is well recognised 2 , 39 , 40 , 41 and represents a major health and societal burden as it has been associated with higher healthcare and opioid use, vocational limitation, and family discordance. 39 , 42 …”

“…Pain is prevalent after traumatic injury in both military 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and civilian settings 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 and can impact the ability to engage with effective rehabilitation and return to employment. 10 During the UK military deployment to Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK 2002–14), blast injury and small arms fire accounted for a significant proportion of traumatic admissions to field hospitals with limb, head, and spinal injuries predominating.…”