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Objective: Veterans are at high risk for eating disorders (EDs), and specifically for atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN). The current study aimed to better understand this under‐studied disorder and how it differs from weight loss without ED cognitive features. Method: Secondary analyses were conducted with data from a national study of Veterans (N = 882, 49.4% women). Participants were categorized into four mutually exclusive groups using the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale 5: probable atypical AN, a cognitive concerns group (Cog Only), a weight suppressed group (WS Only), and a no ED control group. Adjusted regression models were used to compare groups on measures of eating pathology and mental health. Three weight suppression thresholds (5%, 10%, and 15%) for probable atypical AN were also tested. Results: The sample was comprised of 12% probable atypical AN, 23.6% Cog Only, 16.3% WS Only, and 48.1% Control. The probable atypical AN group was most like the Cog Only group except for higher levels of dietary restraint. Atypical AN fared worse and was least like the Control group followed by the WS Only group. All weight suppression thresholds significantly predicted dietary restraint, with 5% being the best predictor. Discussion: Results found that probable atypical AN is a distinct clinical entity and that the exact weight suppression threshold associated with atypical AN is less important than having any weight suppression. Findings highlight the clinical significance of atypical AN and the importance of gaining a better understanding of how to address this clinical entity. Public significance: Atypical anorexia nervosa is a relatively underexamined but highly prevalent eating disorder in the Veteran population. Results show that ED cognitive features are more closely linked to clinically significant eating pathology and poor mental health than weight suppression alone suggesting that negative thinking about weight gain and appearance, regardless of the presence or severity of weight loss, may signal the need for specialized intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the association between Veterans' healthcare utilization and intimate partner violence (IPV) use (i.e., perpetration) in order to (1) identify conditions comorbid with IPV use and (2) inform clinical settings to target for IPV use screening, intervention, and provider training. Data Sources and Study Setting: We examined survey data from a national sample of 834 Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Veterans. Study Design: We assessed associations between past‐year IPV use and medical treatment, health issues, and use of Veterans Health Administration (VA) and non‐VA services using chi‐square tests and logistic regression. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Data were derived from the Department of Defense OEF/OIF/OND Roster. Surveys were sent to all women Veterans and a random sample of men from participating study sites. Principal Findings: Half (49%) of the Veterans who reported utilizing VA healthcare in the past year indicated using IPV. Q values using a 5% false discovery rate indicated that Veterans who used IPV were more likely than Veterans who did not use IPV to have received treatment for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 39% vs. 27%), chronic sleep problems (36% vs. 26%), anxiety or depression (44% vs. 36%), severe chronic pain (31% vs. 22%), and stomach or digestive disorders (24% vs. 16%). Veterans who used IPV were also more likely than Veterans who did not use IPV to have received medical treatment in the past year (86% vs. 80%), seen psychiatrists outside VA (39% vs. 20%), and have outpatient healthcare outside VA (49% vs. 41%). IPV use was not related to whether Veterans received care from VA or non‐VA providers. Conclusions: Veterans' IPV use was related to greater utilization of services for mental health, chronic pain, and digestive issues. Future research should examine whether these are risk factors or consequences of IPV use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the variation in firearm screening and access based on LGBT status among Veterans with the risk of firearm-related suicide in both LGBT individuals and Veterans. It mentions that the study aims to fill this gap by examining LGBTQI+ status, emergency department visits, and firearm screening and access using natural language processing and machine learning algorithms applied to clinical notes in the Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health records.

Objective: Little is known about prevalence estimates of new and revised DSM‐5 eating disorders diagnoses in general, and especially among high‐risk, underserved and diverse eating disorder populations. The aim of the current study was to determine prevalence, gender differences and correlates of DSM‐5 eating disorders in veterans. Method: Iraq and Afghanistan war era veterans (N = 1,121, 51.2% women) completed the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale‐5 and validated measures of eating pathology and mental health between July 2014 and September 2019. Results: Overall more women than men (32.8% vs. 18.8%, p <.001) reported symptoms consistent with a DSM‐5 eating disorder. Prevalence estimates (women vs. men) for the specific diagnoses were: Anorexia Nervosa (AN; 0.0% vs. 0.0%), Bulimia Nervosa (BN; 6.1% vs. 3.5%), Binge‐Eating Disorder (BED; 4.4% vs. 2.9%), Atypical AN (AAN; 13.6% vs. 4.9%), Subclinical BN (0.0% vs. 0.2%), Subclinical BED (1.4% vs. 0.6%), Purging Disorder (2.1% vs. 0.7%), and Night Eating Syndrome (NES; 5.2% vs. 6.0%). Women were more likely to have BN or AAN, and there was no difference for BED or NES among genders. The eating disorder group had a higher mean BMI, and significantly greater eating pathology and mental health symptoms than the non‐eating disorder group. Discussion Approximately one‐third of women, and one‐fifth of men, reported symptoms consistent with a DSM‐5 eating disorder diagnosis. These high prevalence estimates across genders, and associated mental health concerns, suggest an urgent need to better understand and address eating disorders in military and veteran populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective To examine differences in male and female veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom/ Iraqi Freedom ( OEF/ OIF) period of service in taking prescription headache medication, and associations between taking prescription headache medication and mental health status, psychiatric symptoms, and rates of traumatic events. Background Headaches are common among active service members and are associated with impairment in quality of life. Little is known about headaches in OEF/ OIF veterans. Methods Veterans participating in the Women Veterans Cohort Study responded to a cross-sectional survey to assess taking prescription headache medication, mental health status ( Post Deployment Health Assessment), psychiatric symptoms (portions of the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist), and traumatic events (the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire and queries regarding military trauma). Gender differences among taking prescription headache medication, health status, psychiatric symptoms, and traumatic events were examined. Regression analyses were used to examine the influence of gender on the associations between taking prescription headache medication and health status, psychiatric symptoms, and traumatic events. Results 139/551 (25.2%) participants reported taking prescription headache medication in the past year. A higher proportion of women veterans (29.1%) reported taking prescription medication for headache in the last year compared with men (19.7%). Taking prescription headache medication was associated with poorer perceived mental health status, higher anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and higher rates of traumatic events. The association between prescription headache medication use and perceived mental health status, and with the association between prescription headache medication use and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, was stronger for men than for women. Conclusions Among OEF/ OIF veterans, the prevalence of clinically relevant headache is high, particularly among women veterans. Taking prescription headache medication is associated with poor mental health status, higher rates of psychiatric symptoms, and higher rates of traumatic events; however, these variables did not appear to meaningfully account for gender differences in prevalence of taking prescription headache medication. Future research should endeavor to identify factors that might account for the observed differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on designing of a program to incorporate Internal Medicine residents into the Women's Health Clinic instead of their usual primary care clinic. Reasons for assertion of need of change by residence programs that utilize veterans' affairs (VA) hospitals; Methodology of implementation of the program.