Skin disease in Gulf war veterans.

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.