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Rates of Chronic Medical Conditions in 1991 Gulf War Veterans Compared to the General Population

Author

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  • Clara G. Zundel

    (Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
    Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Behavioral Neuroscience, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Maxine H. Krengel

    (Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
    Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Timothy Heeren

    (Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Megan K. Yee

    (Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA)

  • Claudia M. Grasso

    (Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA)

  • Patricia A. Janulewicz Lloyd

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Steven S. Coughlin

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA)

  • Kimberly Sullivan

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

Abstract

Prevalence of nine chronic medical conditions in the population-based Ft. Devens Cohort (FDC) of GW veterans were compared with the population-based 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohort. Excess prevalence was calculated as the difference in prevalence estimates from the Ft. Devens and NHANES cohorts; and confidence intervals and p -values are based on the standard errors for the two prevalence estimates. FDC males were at increased risk for reporting seven chronic medical conditions compared with NHANES males. FDC females were at decreased risk for high blood pressure and increased risk for diabetes when compared with NHANES females. FDC veterans reporting war-related chemical weapons exposure showed higher risk of high blood pressure; diabetes; arthritis and chronic bronchitis while those reporting taking anti-nerve gas pills had increased risk of heart attack and diabetes. GW veterans are at higher risk of chronic conditions than the general population and these risks are associated with self-reported toxicant exposures.

Suggested Citation

  • Clara G. Zundel & Maxine H. Krengel & Timothy Heeren & Megan K. Yee & Claudia M. Grasso & Patricia A. Janulewicz Lloyd & Steven S. Coughlin & Kimberly Sullivan, 2019. "Rates of Chronic Medical Conditions in 1991 Gulf War Veterans Compared to the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:949-:d:214469
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bullman, T.A. & Mahan, C.M. & Kang, H.K. & Page, W.F., 2005. "Mortality in US Army Gulf War veterans exposed to 1991 Khamisiyah chemical munitions destruction," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(8), pages 1382-1388.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia A. Janulewicz & Ratanesh K. Seth & Jeffrey M. Carlson & Joy Ajama & Emily Quinn & Timothy Heeren & Nancy Klimas & Steven M. Lasley & Ronnie D. Horner & Kimberly Sullivan & Saurabh Chatterjee, 2019. "The Gut-Microbiome in Gulf War Veterans: A Preliminary Report," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Linh M. Duong & Alice B. S. Nono Djotsa & Jacqueline Vahey & Lea Steele & Rachel Quaden & Kelly M. Harrington & Sarah T. Ahmed & Renato Polimanti & Elani Streja & John Michael Gaziano & John Concato &, 2022. "Association of Gulf War Illness with Characteristics in Deployed vs. Non-Deployed Gulf War Era Veterans in the Cooperative Studies Program 2006/Million Veteran Program 029 Cohort: A Cross-Sectional An," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Benjamin E. Ansa & Kimberly Sullivan & Maxine H. Krengel & Vahé Heboyan & Candy Wilson & Stacey Iobst & Steven S. Coughlin, 2020. "The Gulf War Women’s Health Cohort: Study Design and Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Chelsey Poisson & Sheri Boucher & Domenique Selby & Sylvia P. Ross & Charulata Jindal & Jimmy T. Efird & Pollie Bith-Melander, 2020. "A Pilot Study of Airborne Hazards and Other Toxic Exposures in Iraq War Veterans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Linda L. Chao, 2020. "The Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Convenience Sample of 202 Gulf War Veterans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Ryan S. Mote & Jessica M. Carpenter & Rachel L. Dockman & Andrew J. Steinberger & Garret Suen & Thomas Norberg & Donald A. Harn & John J. Wagner & Nikolay M. Filipov, 2020. "Assessing the Beneficial Effects of the Immunomodulatory Glycan LNFPIII on Gut Microbiota and Health in a Mouse Model of Gulf War Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.

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