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MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS |
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| RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE (21 October 1999) |
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VA MEDICAL CENTER STUDYING TREATMENT OF GULF WAR ILLNESSES
The Persian Gulf War ended nine years ago. Nearly 700,000 men and women participated in the conflict. A unique aspect of this war was that a disproportionately large number of soldiers were reservists and women as compared to previous wars. To date, the majority of the approximately 100,000 Gulf War Veterans who have been evaluated, have been diagnosed as having a configuration of symptoms for which there is no medical explanation. This symptom complex has come to be known as Gulf War Illnesses (GWI). It is suspected that many more may be suffering but have not been evaluated for such symptoms.
The Department of Veterans Affairs together with the Department of Defense is leading a $20 million effort to learn more about ways to improve the health of veterans suffering from unexplained symptoms. Two separate major studies of treatments for unexplained symptoms in Gulf War veterans will be conducted. One study will focus on aerobic exercise and behavioral therapy. Both of these therapies have been shown to help many patients with chronic symptoms. This study will enroll more than 1,300 veterans at the VA and DoD medical centers across the United States. The second study, which will involve more than 400 volunteers, will test whether an antibiotic is effective in treating certain unexplained symptoms reported by Gulf War veterans.
To participate in either of these trials, veterans must have served in the Gulf War between August, 1990 and August, 1991 and must currently be suffering from at least two of three otherwise unexplained symptoms of: a) fatigue, b) muscle and/or joint pain, and c) memory and thinking problems. These symptoms must have been present for more than six months.
For more information or to participate, please call (800) 248-8005.
