A Working Plan For Research On Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses PDF Download

In 1996 we completed a population-based, cross-sectional/ cohort telephone survey of 4,886 military personnel to compare the prevalence of self-reported symptoms and illnesses among military personnel either deployed, or eligible but not deployed, to the Gulf War (JAMA, 1997). Our current study, a series of case-validation and case-control studies nested within our population-based study, should provide an estimate of the true magnitude of the problems. Because of the magnitude of the difference in prevalence between these groups, it is critical to explore and characterize their cognitive deficits, depression, and multisystemic conditions. The primary purpose of the current project is to compare the true rate of confirmed disease among samples of veterans not deployed, with and without these self-reported conditions. Furthermore, we also plan to identify risk factors for each disease outcome of interest including medical and family history, psychological factors, and occupational and environmental exposures for validated illness in a series of nested case-control studies. Year 4 has just been completed. Through September 2001, 578 subjects have been assessed, with a participation rate of 59%. Recruitment, assessment, and data collection, entry, and validation efforts are ongoing. We are in the process of data editing, database linkage and planning and programming analyses.