Abstract
Aims: Studies of the morbidity burden of military personnel participating in the First World War (WWI) have tended to focus on specific outcomes (e.g., injuries). Therefore, we aimed for a more complete assessment.
Methods: From a random sample of active war service-exposed New Zealand WWI veterans used in previously published work, we examined a random subsample of 200 personnel. Data on diagnoses, hospitalisations and outcomes were extracted from the online archival military files.
Results: These personnel experienced a very high morbidity burden with 94% having at least one new condition diagnosed during their military service (mean: 2.4 per individual; range: 0 to 8). The relative severity of these conditions was reflected by the high level of hospitalisation (89% at least once; mean: 1.8 hospitalisations for new conditions per individual) and 59% of personnel being deemed no longer fit for military service at some stage. More of the new diagnoses were for infectious diseases than for conflict-related injuries (117 vs 50 cases per 100 personnel). Respiratory conditions such as influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis affected 33% of personnel, and 14% were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections. Diseases reflecting hazardous environmental conditions were relatively common e.g., for dysentery/gastroenteritis in 12% and scabies in 5% of personnel. Diagnoses suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were present in 10% and chemical warfare injuries in 6%.
Conclusions: The overall morbidity burden of this military force in WWI was very high, and much higher than the previous official estimates.
Methods: From a random sample of active war service-exposed New Zealand WWI veterans used in previously published work, we examined a random subsample of 200 personnel. Data on diagnoses, hospitalisations and outcomes were extracted from the online archival military files.
Results: These personnel experienced a very high morbidity burden with 94% having at least one new condition diagnosed during their military service (mean: 2.4 per individual; range: 0 to 8). The relative severity of these conditions was reflected by the high level of hospitalisation (89% at least once; mean: 1.8 hospitalisations for new conditions per individual) and 59% of personnel being deemed no longer fit for military service at some stage. More of the new diagnoses were for infectious diseases than for conflict-related injuries (117 vs 50 cases per 100 personnel). Respiratory conditions such as influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis affected 33% of personnel, and 14% were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections. Diseases reflecting hazardous environmental conditions were relatively common e.g., for dysentery/gastroenteritis in 12% and scabies in 5% of personnel. Diagnoses suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were present in 10% and chemical warfare injuries in 6%.
Conclusions: The overall morbidity burden of this military force in WWI was very high, and much higher than the previous official estimates.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 38-55 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | New zealand medical journal |
| Volume | 136 |
| Issue number | 1584 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Oct 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
