Health status and clinical diagnoses of 3000 UK Gulf War veterans

Abstract

Up to June 2001, 3000 British veterans of the Gulf War had sought advice from a special medical assessment programme established because of an alleged Gulf War syndrome. After assessment those attending were classified as completely well, well with symptoms, well with incidental diagnoses treated or controlled, or unwell (physically or mentally). Mental illness was confirmed by a psychiatrist. The first 2000 attenders have been reported previously. The present paper summarizes findings in all 3000. 2252 (75%) of those attending were judged "well", of whom 303 were symptom-free. Medical diagnoses were those to be expected in such an age-group (mean age 34 years, range 21-63). No novel or unusual condition was found. In 604 of the 748 unwell veterans, a substantial element of the illness was psychiatric, the most common condition being post-traumatic stress disorder. The healthcare requirements of the Gulf veterans seen in this programme can therefore be met by standard National Health Service provision.