Female Gender and Other Potential Predictors of Functional Health Status Among Persian Gulf War Veterans.
Abstract
Since deployment from the Persian Gulf War, large numbers of veterans have expressed concerns about their physical health. These concerns raise important questions about combat-zone experiences, particularly the possibility of exposure to hazardous or potentially noxious environmental agents during deployment. Exceedingly little is known about how these possible exposures influence health symptomotology nor how other war-time experiences (e.g., psychological stress) may influence their outcome. This study expands the third observation phase of an ongoing longitudinal project (the Ft. Devens ODS Reunion Survey) aimed at characterizing components of physical and psychological post-deployment readjustment in a cohort of New England area Persian Gulf War veterans. The goals of the investigation are: (a) to identify and examine the role of potential predictors on two critical outcomes - current health status and individual health perceptions, and (b) to evaluate predictors' relevance for veterans' functional health status or disability. A primary emphasis will be on investigating whether female gender is a significant factor in predicting either functional health status or health perceptions. A secondary objective of the project is to ascertain the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)-like symptoms reported among this population, and to explore risk factors for the development of this syndrome.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA327347
Entities
People
- Jessica Wolfe
Organizations
- Tufts University