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Mental Health Symptoms Among Veteran VA Users by Tinnitus Severity:A Population-based Survey
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Mental Health Symptoms Among Veteran VA Users by Tinnitus Severity:A Population-based Survey

Austin Prewitt, Graham Harker, Tess A Gilbert, Elizabeth Hooker, Maya E O'Neil, Kelly M Reavis, James A Henry and Kathleen F Carlson
Military medicine, v 186(Suppl 1), pp 167-175
25 Jan 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa288
PMID: 33499436
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa288View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Female Humans Male Mental Health Middle Aged Military Personnel Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - complications Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology Tinnitus - complications Tinnitus - epidemiology United States - epidemiology Veterans Young Adult
Tinnitus is prevalent among Service members and Veterans and is often comorbid with mental health disorders. Associations between the severity of individuals' tinnitus and mental health symptoms are not well described. We conducted a population-based survey of a stratified random sample of 1,800 Veterans diagnosed with tinnitus. We used the Tinnitus Functional Index to measure tinnitus severity and the Primary Care-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) screen and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable regression models were used to estimate associations between Veterans' tinnitus severity and mental health symptoms. Inverse probability weights were used to account for sample stratification and survey non-response. Multivariable odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) controlled for Veterans' demographics, military history, and health diagnoses. A total of 891 Veterans completed surveys (adjusted response rate = 53%). Large proportions rated their tinnitus as severe (29.4%; 95% CI: 27.2-31.6) or very severe (18.7%; 95% CI: 16.8-20.5). In multivariable regression models, and compared with Veterans with none/mild tinnitus, the likelihood of screening positive for PTSD was increased for those who reported moderate (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.6-10.3), severe (OR = 7.5; 95% CI: 3.1-18.5), or very severe (OR = 17.5; 95% CI: 4.4-70.0) tinnitus. Similarly, Veterans' likelihood of positive depression screens were elevated for those with moderate (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9), severe (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.5), or very severe (OR = 15.5; 95% CI: 4.3-55.5) tinnitus, as was the likelihood of positive anxiety screens for those with severe (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-6.3) or very severe (OR = 13.4; 95% CI: 4.0-44.3) tinnitus. Mental health symptoms are strongly associated with Veterans' tinnitus severity. A better understanding of the interplay between these conditions may help improve the provision of interdisciplinary (Audiology and Mental Health) care for Service members and Veterans.

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12 citations in Web of Science

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Otorhinolaryngology
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