Karshi-Khanabad Surveillance Program (K2SP): Initial Morbidity and All-Cause Mortality Findings

OBJECTIVE Evaluate associations between deployment to Karshi-Khanabad (K2) and adverse health outcomes. METHODS A retrospective cohort study comparing K2 Veterans (2001-2005) with two matched groups: Veterans deployed to Southwest Asia (OEF-deployed) and non-deployed Veterans (OEF-era). Morbidity (through 2022) was identified via VA/DoD healthcare databases and prevalence ratios were estimated using generalized linear models. Mortality (through 2021) was assessed via VA/DoD Mortality Data Repository using standardized mortality ratios and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Only 2 of the sixty outcomes had elevated prevalence but did not show a pattern suggesting association with K2 deployment. Mortality (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.88-1.22) was not elevated among K2 Veterans. CONCLUSIONS Deployment to K2 does not appear to be associated with increased morbidity or mortality at this time. Continued surveillance of this cohort is planned over the next decade.