Goss Gilroy Epidemiologic Study

While there has been research carried out on the various illnesses suffered by Gulf War service personnel in a number of coalition countries since 1991, the international medical community, including Canada, still does not recognize Gulf War Syndrome. Here in Canada, it was determined that there was a need to do some research specific to the health of Canadian Forces personnel who served in the Gulf War.

In January 1997, Goss Gilroy Inc. was contracted by the Department of National Defence to carry out an epidemiologic survey of those Canadians who served in the Gulf War to establish the overall health status of Gulf War personnel and the incidence and prevalence of any symptoms of illness among them.

A self-reporting questionnaire was mailed to a total of 9,947 Canadian Armed Forces service personnel, including 4,500 Canadians who served in the Gulf War and a control group of service personnel with similar demographics who were members of the Canadian Forces in 1990, at the time of the conflict, but who had not served in the Gulf War. Responses were received from 73 percent of Gulf War personnel and 60 percent of the control group.

A assessment of the findings indicates that Gulf War personnel report:

• a slightly higher level of reported ill health than does the control group. Some areas where differences were reported include psychoneurological dysfunction and musculoskeletal complaints, and self-reported symptoms of chronic fatigue, anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and respiratory diseases;
• a higher prevalence of health problems, both of a short- and long-term duration, as compared to a similar control group.

Efforts are being made to ensure that Pension Adjudicators and Pension Officers are sensitive to the effects of Gulf War illnesses on these people's lives. While the Department does not recognize Gulf War Syndrome, we attempt to define individual problems when dealing with disability pension claims. VAC awards disability pensions on the basis of a medically-recognized disease or disability. Many of the illnesses reported by Gulf War clients such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic bronchitis or PTSD are medically recognized. In cases where a medical diagnosis cannot be determined, and it is evident that a client is suffering from an illness or a disability of a chronic nature, they are counselled on the type of documentation to submit in support of their claim, which is then adjudicated for pension purposes. Clients can also be referred clients to DND Post-deployment Regional Health Clinics.

This is the first study in which a coalition country collected data from all personnel who served in the Gulf War. Studies now in progress in the United Kingdom will further elucidate the nature of the complaints of its Gulf War Service members and US reports acknowledge the problems and uncertainties facing US Gulf War service personnel. Canadian Gulf War personnel can benefit from the expanded body of research and can focus on the resolution of issues unique to Canadians.

This survey is one of a series of initiatives undertaken by the Gulf War Illnesses Advisory Committee in the government's continuing efforts to gain a better understanding of the nature and cause of illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. VAC is an active member of this committee.