Clinical Evaluation of a Proposed New Gulf War Syndrome
Abstract
Thus far, studies on Gulf War veterans have not defined any syndrome specific to deployed Gulf War veterans, but have only suggested that Persian Gulf War veterans have a higher frequency of a number of symptoms compared to non-deployed veterans. We have expanded on the factor analysis approach used by other investigators and have found one factor with four symptoms that suggests a syndrome unique to deployed Gulf War veterans. Each of the symptoms (blurred vision, tremors, speech difficulty, and ataxia/dizziness) is subject to verification by clinical examination. We propose to perform detailed neurological evaluations of a sample of Persian Gulf War veterans and three control groups: a sample of Gulf War veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and reporting none of the four symptoms; non-Gulf War veterans reporting all four of the symptoms (only 0.46% of the non-Gulf War veterans); and a random sample of Gulf War veterans reporting none of the four symptoms. Detailed information on potential risk factors will be collected on all participants. In addition, blood samples will be obtained from the study participants to allow further studies if a new clinical syndrome with objective neurologic abnormalities are identified in this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA418772
Entities
People
- Paul Levine
Organizations
- George Washington University