International Journal of General Medicine (Oct 2023)
Risk Factor Analysis and Intervention Study for Unspecific Functional Enteropathy in a Maritime Environment: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Survey
Abstract
Chunyan Zhang, Zhijian Yang, Wenxiu Xie, Congyong Li, Xuefei Huang Sixth Health Care Department, Second Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunyan Zhang, Sixth Health Care Department, Second Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 01066957818, Email [email protected]: The study aimed to investigate the risk factors and interventions for unspecific functional bowel disorders (U-FBDs) in military personnel under maritime environment.Methods: This cross-sectional analytical survey used the Rome III questionnaire for surveying 1018 military personnel involved in overseas humanitarian medical services from June 2013 to January 2016. Individuals diagnosed with U-FBDs were included in the U-FBDs group, while those without FBDs or other diseases were considered the control group. The psychological and sleep conditions of military personnel with U-FBDs were assessed using the SCL-90 scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale, respectively. Health education and treatment were provided to individuals diagnosed with U-FBDs, and the improvements were evaluated after three months.Results: Among 923 qualified questionnaires, 243 subjects was included in U-FBDs group and 240 in the control group. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and multiple seafaring missions were identified as risk factors for U-FBDs in military personnel on ocean-going missions. The U-FBDs group had significantly worse sleep quality, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction score, and total PSQI score compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, 10 factor scores of SCL-90 and the total score in the U-FBDs group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Patients with U-FBDs also reported the highest rate of somatic symptoms (P < 0.01).Conclusion: The onset of U-FBDs among military personnel on long-haul maritime may be closely related to mental, psychological, and sleep factors. Health education and treatment may help improve the symptoms of U-FBDs.Keywords: military, maritime environment, non-specific functional enteropathy, functional enteropathy
