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SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL RESEARCH

Review of Research into 1990/1991 Gulf Veterans' Illnesses

The MOD receives independent advice on its programme of research into whether the health of 1990/1991 Gulf veterans has been adversely affected by their service in the 1990/1991 Gulf conflict from the Medical Research Council (MRC).  In 2003, at MOD's request, the MRC undertook an independent scientific review of all the research work that has been carried out into UK Gulf veterans' illnesses in an international context and provided recommendations about where future studies should focus.  The full text of the report is available here. (pdf format 1MByte).  Update on the MRC's recommendations.

Epidemiological studies

To identify whether there is an excess of ill health including mortality in UK Service personnel who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf conflict and their children and to identify whether there is an excess of reproductive health problems.

Study of mortality and ill health - Manchester University

Study of the Reproductive Health of 1990/1991 UK Gulf Veterans and the Health of their children - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Study of 1990/1991 UK Gulf Veterans, King's School of Medicine, Phase 3


Vaccines Interactions research

This research is to investigate the possible health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets used to protect UK personnel in the event of chemical and biological weapons use and the threat from common diseases.

Detection of Potential Squalene in Various Vaccines

The results of an analysis, by an independent laboratory, of the vaccines used in the Gulf conflict for the presence of squalene

Neuromuscular Symptoms Study

The aim of  this study is to describe any neurophysiological symptoms or abnormalities which may be present in UK Service personnel who served in the 1990/1991 Gulf War.

Systematic Literature Review

To review worldwide published research relating to 1990/1991 Gulf veterans' illnesses.

Post combat syndromes

A paper titled: "Post combat syndromes from the Boer War to the Gulf War: a cluster analysis of their nature and attribution" was published in the British Medical Journal on 9 February 2002. This was results of work carried out at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine and the US medical research institute. The Ministry of Defence co-operated with the research team by providing access to anonymised medical data relating to UK Gulf veterans held at the Medical Assessment Programme.
 

Cancer Incidence amongst 1990/1991 Gulf Veterans

Given the significance attached to cancer, in July 2002 the MOD agreed a contract with the University of Manchester for a team led by Professor Gary Macfarlane to carry out a study of the incidence of cancers in Gulf veterans. The study is now complete and the results were published in a paper entitled "Incidence of cancer among UK Gulf war veterans: cohort study" in the British Medical Journal on 13 December 2003.  The researchers concluded that there is no current excess risk of cancer overall nor of site specific cancers in veterans of the 1990/1999 Gulf Conflict.  Specific exposures during deployment have not resulted in a subsequent increased risk of cancer.  The long latent period for cancer however necesitates continued follow up.

Other research into 1990/1991 Gulf veterans' illnesses with which MOD is associated

Work on Paraoxanase Manchester Royal Infirmary

Study on the Social Construction of "Gulf war syndrome"

US Government Research into 1990/1991 Gulf Veterans' illnesses

Information about American research into 1990/1991 Gulf War Illnesses can be found at http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/medical/gwillness_research_pub.html

Depleted Uranium

Research on DU issues can be found on our DU page.

 

Last Updated: 18 Aug 05