The impact of post-infectious functional gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms on the health-related quality of life of US military personnel returning from deployment to the Middle East.

Background And Aim: Mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are important health impact measures following military deployment. While conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to adversely affect QOL, little is known about the effect of post-infectious functional gastrointestinal disorders (PI-FGID). Our aim was to evaluate the risk of PI-FGID and its impact on HRQOL among military personnel returning from deployment.

Methods: A cross-sectional cohort of active-duty military deployed to Egypt or Turkey between 2004 and 2005 was asked to complete a questionnaire (Rome II and SF-36 instruments) on travelers' diarrhea (TD) during deployment and FGID symptoms and HRQOL 6 months after returning from deployment.

Results: A total of 121 military personnel returning from Egypt (n = 33) and Turkey (n = 88) completed the post-deployment questionnaire. Nearly half (48.3%) met the definition for an FGID at the time of the survey, and 53% of individuals reporting one or more episodes of TD during deployment developed an FGID, compared to 33% of those not reporting TD (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, P = 0.08). Compared to those not meeting the FGID criteria, those with post-deployment FGID had lower mean mental HRQOL scores (-13.4%, P < 0.0001) and lower physical HRQOL scores (-7.2%, P = 0.004).

Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of FGID symptoms in military personnel returning from deployment, and TD was a noted risk factor. FGID and symptoms decreased QOL, with mental HRQOL being affected more than physical HRQOL. These findings require further research in order to assess the long-term impact of these and other post-infectious sequela related to TD during deployments among returning veterans.