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Q J Med 2002; 95: 671-676
© 2002 Association of Physicians

Skin disease in Gulf war veterans

E.M. HIGGINS, K. ISMAIL1, K. KANT1, K. HARMAN, J. MELLERIO, A.W.P. DU VIVIER and S. WESSELY1

From the Dermatology Department, King's College Hospital, London, and 1 Gulf War Illness Research Unit, Guy's, King's & St Thomas' Medical School, London, UK

Received 27 February 2002 and in revised form 13 June 2002

Background: Gulf war veterans report more symptomatic ill-health than other military controls, and skin disease is one of the most frequent reasons for military personnel to seek medical care.

Aim: To compare the nature and prevalence of skin disease in UK Gulf veterans with non-Gulf veterans, and to assess whether skin disease is associated with disability.

Design: Prospective case comparison study.

Methods: Disabled (n=111) and non-disabled (n=98) Gulf veterans and disabled non-Gulf veterans (n=133) were randomly selected from representative cohorts of those who served in the Gulf conflict 1990–1991, UN Bosnia Peacekeeping Force 1992–1997, or veterans in active service between 1990–91, but not deployed to the Gulf. Disability was defined as reduced physical functioning as measured by the Short Form 36 [score <72.2]. All subjects recruited were examined by a dermatologist, blind to the military and health status of the veteran.

Results: The prevalences of skin disease in disabled Gulf, non-disabled Gulf and disabled non-Gulf veterans were 47.7, 36.7, and 42.8% respectively. Seborrhoeic dermatitis was twice as common as expected in the Gulf veterans (both disabled and non-disabled).

Discussion: Skin disease does not appear to be contributing to ill health in Gulf war veterans, with the exception of an unexplained two-fold increase in seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Address correspondence to Dr E.M. Higgins, Dermatology Department, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS. e-mail: elisabeth.higgins{at}kcl.ac.uk


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