Effects of Deployment Exposures on Cardiopulmonary and Autonomic Function

Completed

Conditions studied: Abnormality, Respiratory System, Autonomic Nervous System

In brief

Following deployment to Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND), Veterans report breathing problems, difficulty exercising and other symptoms. These symptoms may be related to deployment exposures, such as regional dust and sand, smoke from burning trash, and local industry. Studies have reported poor air quality, but very little is known about the effect that exposure to this polluted air may have on Veterans' short- and long-term health. Investigators will determine whether deployment-related exposures have affected respiratory and nervous system function in these Veterans - data that may then be used to guide rehabilitation. Ultimately, the investigators' long-term goal is to prevent the development of chronic respiratory conditions in this group of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01754922

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

50

Starts

2013-11-01

Expected to finish

2015-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2017-02-28

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Male and female Veterans between 18 - 55 years of age will be identified and screened for this study.
• Two study cohorts will be recruited and attempts will be made to match group composition on age, body mass index and smoking history.
• Veterans assigned to the Exposed group must have been deployed to OEF/OIF for a minimum of 90 consecutive days.
• The Control group will consist of Veterans never deployed to Southwest Asia (i.e. OEF/OIF, Persian Gulf War) but were deployed during the same time period.
• Each Veteran will complete a detailed exposure history questionnaire to confirm and support their group assignment.

You may not qualify if…

• Participants must not meet any of the contraindications to exercise testing as described in the joint statement from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. Also, individuals with history of any of the following will also be excluded:
• asthma (pre-military)
• cardiovascular disease
• neurological impairment/disorder
• pregnant
• uncontrollable hypertension (SBP > 160; DBP > 100)
• or have suffered severe/moderate traumatic brain injury within the last three years
• eye/chest/abdominal surgery in last 3 months
• tuberculosis exposure to self or household member
• history of aneurysm or collapsed lung
• history of detached retina
• stroke or heart attack in the last 3 months
• and history of coughing up blood in last three months
• (With the exception of hypertension and pregnancy (urine test), all exclusion criteria will be determined via self-report)

Where it is running

• East Orange Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ — East Orange, New Jersey, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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