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Gulf War/ALS Study Findings |
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The following information is from a news release sent out by the
Department of Veteran Affairs on December 10, 2001. According to a news release on December 10, 2001 from the Department of Veteran Affairs, researchers conducting a large epidemiological study supported by both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have found preliminary evidence that veterans who served in Desert Shield-Desert Storm are nearly twice as likely as their non-deploying counterparts to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study, begun in March 2000, involved nearly 700,000 service members deployed to Southwest Asia and 1.8 million who were not deployed to the Gulf during the period August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. The study found 40 cases of ALS among deployed veterans. Although the researchers found the risk of ALS to be twice as high for deployed veterans, it is a rare disease and the number of affected individuals is small. Scientists would expect to find 33 cases in a similar-sized population over the same time period. “These findings are of great concern and warrant further study,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “I intend to make certain that VA’s medical resources and research capabilities are fully focused on this issue.” Follow-up on Gulf War Study - Case ascertainment continuesThe “Study of ALS among Gulf War Veterans” will continue to screen and “count” new patients – both Gulf deployed and non-Gulf deployed. Although these “new” cases cannot be added to the study data that have already been analyzed, they will be counted and reflected in a revised rate of incidence (as appropriate). Veterans with ALS or families of these veterans who served in the military between August 2, 1990 and July 31, 1991 are encouraged to consider self-referral to this study. Note that veterans need not have deployed to the Gulf War region to self refer to the study. The toll-free 800 number is still in effe4ct and is the best way for veterans and their families to self refer. To be included in a revised count, veterans or family members should call 1-877-342-5257. This telephone number should not be used of benefits questions. Next phase of Gulf War StudyThe next phase of the study is funded and is in its early stages. This part of the study evaluates environmental and other exposures that the veterans with ALS experienced to determine if a statistical association between any exposure(s) and ALS is observed. The analysis will include both the deployed and non-deployed groups. We don’t yet have a timetable for when the results of this study will be concluded and reported. Veterans Benefits UpdateThe study staff has begun contacting the 40 Gulf deployed ALS patients and families asking for their consent to have the Veteran’s Benefits Administration (VBA) contact them to discuss benefits. Thirty-five of the 40 patients/families have been contacted as of January 9th. The VBA has already begun reaching out to the thirty-five patients/families to discuss benefit eligibility. At this time ALSA does not know what benefits are being offered. For more information about the study, please visit www.alsa.org. |
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