Pyridostigmine bromide and the long-term subjective health status of a sample of over 700 male Reserve Component Gulf War era veterans.
Data from a 1996-1997 survey of approximately 700 Reserve Component male veterans indicate that the consumption of pyridostigmine bromide pills, used as a pretreatment for potential exposure to the nerve agent Soman, was a significant predictor of declines in reported subjective health status after the war, even after controlling for a number of other possible factors. Reported reactions to vaccines and other medications also predicted declines in subjective health. While higher military rank generally predicted better health during and after the war, educational attainment, minority status, number of days in theater, and age generally did not predict changes in subjective health. Although servicemembers were directed to take three pills a day, veterans reported a range of compliance--less than a fourth (24%) followed the medical instructions compared to 61% who took fewer than three pills daily and 6% who took six or more pills a day. Implications for use of pyridostigmine bromide are discussed.
Schumm
Walter R
WR
School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-1403, USA. schumm@humec.ksu.edu
Reppert
Earl J
EJ
Jurich
Anthony P
AP
Bollman
Stephan R
SR
Webb
Farrell J
FJ
Castelo
Carlos S
CS
Stever
James C
JC
Kaufman
Mark
M
Deng
Liang-Yu
LY
Krehbiel
Michelle
M
Owens
Barbara L
BL
Hall
Carolyn A
CA
Brown
Beverlyn F Cay
BF
Lash
Jeanne F
JF
Fink
Carol J
CJ
Crow
Janet R
JR
Bonjour
Gabriele N
GN
D000328:Adult; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018923:Persian Gulf Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012999:Soman / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013995:Time; D014728:Veterans
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D012999:Soman; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide