ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Chronic non-cancer pain is common among military veterans; however, the prevalence is uncertain. This information gap complicates policy decisions and resource planning to ensure veterans have access to healthcare services that align with their needs. METHODS: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science from inception to 9 February 2023 for observational studies reporting the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain among military veterans. We performed random-effects meta-analysis to pool pain prevalence data across studies and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Forty-two studies that included 14 305 129 veterans were eligible for review, of which 28 studies (n=5 011 634) contributed to our meta-analysis. Most studies (90%; 38 of 42) enrolled US veterans, the median of the mean age among study participants was 55 years (IQR 45-62) and 85% were male. The pooled prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was 45%; however, we found evidence of a credible subgroup effect based on representativeness of the study population. Moderate certainty evidence found the prevalence of chronic pain among studies enrolling military veterans from the general population was 30% (95% CI 23% to 37%) compared with 51% (95% CI 38% to 64%) among military veterans sampled from populations with high rates of conditions associated with chronic pain (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: We found moderate certainty evidence that 3 in every 10 military veterans from the general population live with chronic non-cancer pain. These findings underscore the importance of ensuring access to evidence-based care for chronic pain for veterans, and the need for prevention and early management to reduce transition from acute to chronic pain. Further research, employing a standardised assessment of chronic pain, is needed to disaggregate meaningful subgroups; for example, the proportion of veterans living with moderate to severe pain compared with mild pain.
ABSTRACT
Gossyplure used to bait field traps at a dose of 50 micrograms admixed with 4-16 milligrams of an antioxidant attracted and captured male pink bollworm moths early in the cotton-growing season (early May) in Israel, whereas 20 milligrams of hexalure plus antioxidant was completely inactive under identical conditions. Although gossyplure without antioxidant was inactivated through decomposition within ten days, the mixtures remained attractive for at least two months; the antioxidant also increased moth catches 2.5 fold. Monitoring data obtained with 3000 gossyplure-baited traps, at one trap per 50 dunams, in cotton fields in the Beth-Shann region proved that capture thresholds of 5 moths/trap/night to the end of July and 8 moths/trap/night afterward were completely satisfactory for maintaining a low 2.8% average boll infestation for which only 5.8 insecticidal treatments were required during the entire growing season; results were even better in other areas of the country.
Subject(s)
Fatty Alcohols , Insect Control , Lepidoptera , Moths , Pheromones , Animals , Antioxidants , IsraelABSTRACT
A comparison of the field attractiveness of five samples of American-synthesized and one sample of Japanese-synthesized (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadien-1-01 acetate (9,11-TDDA), the sex pheromone of Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. and S. litura (F.), showed that traps baited with one of the American-produced samples and the Japanese product were equally effective in attracting and capturing S. littoralis males in cotton and alfalfa fields of Israel. Optimum captures were obtained for periods up to three months with 4800 mug of 9,11-TDDA plus 8 mg of an antioxidant; higher doses were not advantageous. Paper squares were superior to two types of rubber septa and to closed polyethylene vials as dispensers for the pheromone; the polyethylene vials were least effective. In terms of numbers of moths captured, open polyethylene vials were as effective as paper dispensers when both were baited with 9-11-TDDA plus antioxidant. Admixture of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-o1 acetate (9,12-TDDA) with 9,11-TDDA was antagonistic at ratios of 1:20 and 1:50, but ratios from 1:500 to 1:1600 were synergistic, increasing moth catches up to 2.5-fold. Pheromone traps placed in Caesarea sand dunes located at least 3 km from the nearest host area captured larger numbers of males than traps placed in cultivated areas. It is therefore recommended that safety belts of pheromone traps, about 500 m apart, be used around cultivated areas to prevent invasion of the pest from outside and to attract males present inside such areas, thus reducing both the male population and mating through mass trapping and disruption of sex communication.
