American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 134, No. 1: 49-58
Copyright © 1991 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
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A Co-Twin Control Study of the Effects of the Vietnam War on the Self-reported Physical Health of Veterans
1 Medical and Research Services, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Lows, and Department of Medicine, Washington University St Louis, MO.
2 Hines Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center Hines, IL
3 Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, University of Ilinois Chicago, IL.
4 Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center St. Louis, MO.
5 School of Public Health and the Department of Psychiatry, St. Louis University Medical Center St Lours, MO
Reprint requests to Dr. Seth A. Eisen, Research Service (151-JC), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 915 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63106.
This study examines the impact of military service on 13 categories of self-reported physical health problems by using a sample of 2, 260 American male-male monozygotic twin pairs who served on active duty during the Vietnam War. Data were collected in 1987 by using mail and/or telephone interviews. Twins who served in Southeast Asia reported an increased prevalence of currently having hearing problems (odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.3–2.7) and persistent skin conditions (OR = 2.1, 95% Cl 1.4–3.2). Odds ratios for these health problems increased with increasing combat exposure and could not be explained by confounding due to posttraumatic stress disorder or demographic or military service factors. Significantly increased odds ratios were also demonstrated for ever having hearing problems (OR = 1.8, 95% Cl 1.3–2.5), ever having persistent skin conditions (OR = 2.1, 95% Cl 1.5–3.0), and having been hospitalized for stomach conditions (OR = 2.6, 95% Cl 1.4–4.9). Marginally increased odds ratios were demonstrated for ever having stomach conditions (OR = 1.4, 95% Cl 1.0–1.9) and urinary conditions (OR = 1.5, 95% Cl 1.0–2.1). Service in Southeast Asia was not associated with any of the remaining categories of physical health problems. Thus, although the past health of veterans who served in Southeast Asia may have been somewhat worse than that of their siblings who did not serve in southeast Asia, no major differences in current health are detected. Am J Epidemiol 1991; 134: 49–58.
health surveys; hearing loss; noise induced; registries; skin diseases; twins; veterans; war
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