Associations Between Self-Reported Burn Pit Exposure and Functional Status, 1990-2021

ABSTRACT Introduction The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) allows service members to self-report exposure to burn pits during military deployments and functional status (a composite metric of physical fitness status). This study investigated whether general exposure to burn pits,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military medicine 2024-08, Vol.189 (9-10), p.e2107-e2113
Main Authors: Chassé, Jean-Sébastien, Rossi, Carlo, Downs, John, Ortiz, Jose
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Burns - epidemiology
Burns - etiology
Burns - physiopathology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Functional Status
Humans
Male
Military deployment
Military medicine
Military personnel
Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Occupational hazards
Open Waste Burning
Registries - statistics & numerical data
Retrospective Studies
Self Report - statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:ABSTRACT Introduction The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) allows service members to self-report exposure to burn pits during military deployments and functional status (a composite metric of physical fitness status). This study investigated whether general exposure to burn pits, specific performance of burn pit duties, or the cumulative number of days deployed in Southwest Asia was associated with a change in functional status. Materials and methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 234,061 participants in the AHOBPR who completed questionnaires before August 2021 was conducted. Exposure was presumed if an individual reported any burn pits exposure during deployment or if an individual reported having to work at a burn pit as part of their duties and was quantified by the cumulative-reported exposure days. The outcome was the reported composite functional score. Statistical analysis used linear regression, which was adjusted for significant variables. A possible dose–response effect from cumulative deployment and burn pits exposure days was evaluated. Statistical significance was determined at P 
ISSN:0026-4075
1930-613X
1930-613X
DOI:10.1093/milmed/usad474