[Self-reported dyspnea is strongly associated with psychological and cognitive symptoms. The Danish Gulf War Study].
BACKGROUND
Danish Gulf War veterans (GWVs) have a high prevalence of mental and cognitive symptoms and self-reported dyspnoea.


METHODS
686 GWVs were included in the study and compared with 231 controls. Extensive information about the participants was obtained from a questionnaire, and they all underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations.


RESULTS
The prevalence of dyspnoea in GWVs was 29.2%, in controls 19.5%, p = 0.005. Adjusted for age, smoking and physical activity the GWVs OR for dyspnoea at light physical demand was OR = 1.55(1.1-2.3), p = 0.02. Further adjustment for cognitive and mental symptoms reduced the OR to a non significant level, OR = 1.09(0.7-1.6), p = 0.68.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of dyspnoea among GWVs could largely be attributed to their high prevalence of mental and cognitive symptoms. In general, the results emphasize the psychological component in dyspnoea.
Svensson
A L
AL
H:S Bispebjerg Hospital, Epidemiologisk Forskningsenhed, arbejds- og miljømedicinsk klinik.
Suadicani
P
P
Guldager
B
B
Ishøy
T
T
Appleyard
M
M
Gyntelberg
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000208:ethnology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D018923:Persian Gulf Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires