No sign of 2003 war syndrome

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/16/wirq216.xml

No sign of 2003 war syndrome

By Nic Fleming, Medical Correspondent

(Filed: 16/05/2006)

The apparent lack of post-conflict symptoms in troops who served in Iraq

supports the view that vaccines and anti-nerve agents were to blame for

Gulf War Syndrome, scientists said yesterday.

Researchers found no significant increases in mental and physical health

problems in soldiers deployed against Saddam Hussein's forces three years ago.

In the second of two studies of the health of veterans published today

Professor Simon Wessely of King's College London examined the health of

3,600 British regular soldiers deployed in the 2003 Iraq war and 4,300

non-deployed colleagues.

Prof Wessely said: " Is there an Iraq war syndrome? The answer is no, at

least not yet. "

The findings indicated that factors common to the wars against Iraq in 1991

and 2003, such as the use of depleted uranium in shells and pesticides,

were unlikely to be the main cause of Gulf War Syndrome.

On the other hand, the more recent war in Iraq featured better health

surveillance, improved communications, and changes in the way vaccinations

and other medical counter-measures were used.

In 1991 pyridostigmine bromide pills were given to troops as a defence

against nerve agents, alongside anthrax and plague vaccines.

In the more recent conflict anthrax and plague vaccines were given without

a pertussis adjuvant or booster, more effort was made to space out

vaccinations and changes were made to consent and information procedures.

Shortly after the 1991 Gulf war reports began appearing in both the UK and

US of members of the Armed Forces who had served in the conflict suffering

a range of symptoms.

These health problems, including mood swings, memory loss, lack of

concentration, night sweats, general fatigue and sexual problems, became

known collectively as Gulf War Syndrome.

Support groups claim that of about 53,000 British troops who served in the

Gulf at least 6,000 have reported health problems.

A number of explanations have been suggested, including exposure to nerve

agents from Iraqi chemical weapons storage facilities, fine particles from

depleted uranium weapons, pesticides, pollution from burning oil wells and

side effects from vaccination against anthrax and the plague.

Asked whether he agreed with the conclusion of the study that there was no

evidence of there being a " Iraq War Syndrome " , Toby Elliott, chief

executive of the charity Combat Stress, said: " I think it is true.

" There is nothing in the studies to suggest that is the case at the moment

but we have to be cautious because it is early days. "

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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