Bronchodilator Responsiveness and Airflow Limitation Are Associated With Deployment Length in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between deployment length and indices of airflow obstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with airborne hazards exposure. One hundred twenty-four post-9/11 veterans completed pulmonary function testing and questionnaires. We examined the association of airflow limitation [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)] and bronchodilator responsiveness (ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC) with deployment length, adjusting for smoking. Longer deployment length was associated with lower FEV1/FVC [β = -0.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), -0.39 to 0.01], greater ΔFEV1 (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.45) and ΔFVC (β = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.33). In our model adjusted for smoking history, longer deployment length remained associated with greater ΔFEV1 and ΔFVC (P < 0.01), but not with FEV1/FVC (P = 0.059). In our sample of post-9/11 veterans, longer deployment lengths were associated with significant bronchodilator responsiveness and a trend toward airflow limitation independent of tobacco use.