Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury, Health and Rate of Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans From the 1990-1991 Gulf War

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was not considered to be common in the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW). Therefore, the relationship between TBI and chronic health symptoms experienced by GW veterans is unknown. Health symptoms reported by veterans deployed more recently to this region (Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) are similar to those of GW veterans and have been primarily attributed to TBI.

Objective: To examine the relationships among self-reported TBI, health symptoms, chronic multisymptom illness (CMI), and health-related quality of life among GW veterans.

Participants: Participants included 1 274 GW veterans from the Devens Cohort Study, 156 of whom self-reported a history of TBI (12.2% of the sample).

Design: Cross-sectional retrospective analysis of existing survey data.

Main Measures: A 52-item health symptom checklist and the RAND 36-Item Health short Form Survey.

Results: Self-reported TBI in GW Veterans is related to increased rates of health symptoms, CMI, and poorer health-related quality of life.

Conclusions: Gulf War veterans' self-reported exposure to TBI is related to increased rates of chronic health symptoms and CMI, which interfere with everyday activities of daily living.