TY - JOUR PY - 2020// TI - Development of a blast exposure estimator from a DoD-wide survey study on military service members JO - Journal of neurotrauma A1 - Modica, Claire M. A1 - Egnoto, Michael J. A1 - Statz, Jonathan Keegan A1 - Carr, Walter A1 - Ahlers, Stephen SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - Long-term, repeated exposure to low-intensity blast overpressure is a potential causal factor of lasting outcomes reminiscent of post-concussion syndrome. Wearable blast sensor engineers are exploring elements of blast which are associated with outcomes. Currently, however, there are no devices that can truly record all blasts experienced by an individual. Military service members (n=984) were surveyed about their lifelong exposure and behavioral health. Using heavy-arms-associated target outcomes, we calculated a Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) for each participant. A threshold of 200,000 GBEV units was established at which a participant was likely to report more intense symptomology. If repetitive, low-intensity blast exposure has even a subtle effect over time, operational readiness could be negatively impacted. A threshold of exposure can inform decisions on how to reduce detrimental exposure. The GBEV can be used to track ongoing exposure and potentially identify those who may be at risk for developing blast-related outcomes.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0897-7151 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2020.7405 ID - ref1 ER -