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Deployment stressors and a chronic multisymptom illness among Gulf War veterans.
Nisenbaum R, Barrett DH, Reyes M, Reeves WC.Deployment stressors and a chronic multisymptom illness among Gulf War veterans.
J Nerv Ment Dis 188:259-266, 2000.
Summary
Stress has been associated with CFS and Gulf War illness presents a similar picture. In this study, we found highly significant associations between self-reported chemical, physical, and emotional stressors and chronic illness (defined by fatigue, mood/cognition, and musculoskeletal symptoms) in Air Force veterans of the Gulf War.
Abstract
Gulf War (GW) veterans have reported unusual health problems, but no single etiology has been linked to these illnesses. This study was conducted to determine the association between self-reported GW deployment stressors and an illness defined by a combination of fatigue, mood-cognition, and musculoskeletal symptoms. A total of 1002 GW veterans from this cross-sectional survey of four Air Force units completed a self-administered questionnaire that asked about symptoms, demographic and military characteristics, and stressors during deployment. Severe and mild-moderate illness was positively associated with self-reports of pyridostigmine bromide use, insect repellent use, and belief in a threat from biological or chemical weapons. Injuries requiring medical attention were only associated with severe illness. These results suggest a link between self-reported chemical, emotional, and physical exposures, and GW veterans illness. Further research is needed to determine physiological and psychological mechanism through which such stressors could have contributed to this symptom complex.
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