Quality of life of retired officers of Internal affairs bodies of Russian Federation, dismissed from service for health reasons due to military trauma: empirical study

OBJECTIVE. To assess the quality of life (QOL) of retired officers of internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, dismissed from service for health reasons due to military trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. We examined 226 retired officers of internal affairs bodies (IAB) who had suffered a craniocerebral trauma during their service (2008-2023). According to the results of the military medical examination, two groups were formed: 1st (n = 93) - with the wording “military trauma”; 2nd (n = 133) - “disease received during military service”; both groups with category “D”. Questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the frequency features (participation in combat operations, dispensary, inpatient treatment, etc.). Quality of life was studied using the Q-LES-Q methodology (adapted by N. E. Vodopyanova). The χ² criterion and Student’s t-criterion were used.

RESULTS. Group 1 IAB retirees had a higher frequency of participation in combat operations (80.7 % vs. 51.9 %; χ² = 18.36; p < 0.001) and predominant use of departmental hospitals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for complex treatment (77.4 % vs. 12.8 %; χ² = 93.1; p < 0.001). Mine blast etiology injuries prevailed among them (80.7 % vs. 3.8 %; χ² = 138.14; p < 0.001). In Group 2, in contrast, retired patients were more often treated in MHS facilities (73.7% vs. 22.6%; χ² = 55.3; p < 0.001). Psychological testing revealed significantly lower scores on the scales of health, communication with loved ones, professional self-realization, and the integral indicator of QOL (p < 0,001).

DISCUSSION. The results reflect more pronounced consequences of combat injuries and frequent need for departmental medical care in persons with military trauma, which correlates with their low socio-psychological adaptation and limited resources for rehabilitation. These differences are consistent with the data on more severe post-traumatic reactions in former officers who participated in combat operations.

CONCLUSION. IAB retired personnel discharged due to military trauma demonstrate lower quality of life indicators and are less likely to use full-fledged rehabilitation programs. The results emphasize the need for further improvement of the departmental system of medical care and psychological support to improve the level of health and social integration of this category of citizens.

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