Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans

Zachary Thomas Verne; Jeremy Zachary Fields; George Nicholas Verne; Benjamin Buyi Zhang; Amber Leigh Thacker; QiQi Zhou

doi:doi:10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

Research Article |

Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans

Zachary Thomas Verne, Jeremy Zachary Fields, George Nicholas Verne, Benjamin Buyi Zhang, Amber Leigh Thacker, QiQi Zhou^*

Published in International Journal of Gastroenterology (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 15 January 2024 Accepted: 29 January 2024 Published: 5 February 2024

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Abstract

An estimated 694,550 United States service members were actively deployed to the Persian Gulf from 1990-1991. Many veterans who were deployed developed Persian Gulf War Syndrome along with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from the Persian Gulf. Our objective in this study was to determine the phenotypic expression of gastrointestinal symptom complexes in previously healthy veterans who had been stationed in the Persian Gulf. One hundred and four consecutive veterans (88 males, 16 females) who had previously been deployed in 1990-91 were evaluated for their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. A workup was completed to find identifiable causes of their symptoms and all veterans were asked to do a modified version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire symptom survey. None of the veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms before deployment. During deployment to the Persian Gulf: 22 veterans (21%) developed irritable bowel syndrome; 17 (16%) developed dyspepsia; 50 (48%) developed diarrhea; 11 (11%) developed bloating; and 4 (4%) developed constipation. The results of the current study suggest that the development of irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation is frequently seen in deployed Gulf War Veterans and the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly persist upon returning home. These novel findings are very important for currently deployed veterans who are serving in the Middle East and are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.

Published in	International Journal of Gastroenterology (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
Page(s)	5-10
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gulf War Syndrome, Gulf War, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Constipation, Diarrhea, Bloating

References

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[6]	Dunphy RC, Bridgewater L, Price DD, Robinson ME, Zeilman CJ, 3rd, Verne GN. Visceral and cutaneous hypersensitivity in Persian Gulf war veterans with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. Pain 2003; 102: 79-85.
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[9]	Tuteja AK, Talley NJ, Stoddard GJ, Samore MH, Verne GN. Risk factors for upper and lower functional gastrointestinal disorders in Persian Gulf War Veterans during and post-deployment. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019 Mar; 31: e13533.
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[16]	Spiller RC. Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology 2003; 124(6): 1662-1671.
[17]	Zhou Q, Price DD, Callam CS, Woodruff MA, Verne GN. Effects of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor on temporal summation of second pain (Wind-up) in irritable bowel syndrome. J Pain 2011; 12: 297-303.
[18]	Eaker EY, Kuldau JG, Verne GN, Ross SO, Sallustio JE. Myenteric neuronal antibodies in scleroderma: passive transfer evokes alterations in intestinal myoelectric activity in a rat model. J Lab Clin Med 1999; 133: 551-6.
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APA Style

Verne, Z. T., Fields, J. Z., Verne, G. N., Zhang, B. B., Thacker, A. L., et al. (2024). Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. International Journal of Gastroenterology, 8(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

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ACS Style

Verne, Z. T.; Fields, J. Z.; Verne, G. N.; Zhang, B. B.; Thacker, A. L., et al. Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. Int. J. Gastroenterol. 2024, 8(1), 5-10. doi: 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

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AMA Style

Verne ZT, Fields JZ, Verne GN, Zhang BB, Thacker AL, et al. Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. Int J Gastroenterol. 2024;8(1):5-10. doi: 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

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@article{10.11648/ijg.20240801.12,
  author = {Zachary Thomas Verne and Jeremy Zachary Fields and George Nicholas Verne and Benjamin Buyi Zhang and Amber Leigh Thacker and QiQi Zhou},
  title = {Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans},
  journal = {International Journal of Gastroenterology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {5-10},
  doi = {10.11648/ijg.20240801.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.ijg.20240801.12},
  abstract = {An estimated 694,550 United States service members were actively deployed to the Persian Gulf from 1990-1991. Many veterans who were deployed developed Persian Gulf War Syndrome along with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from the Persian Gulf. Our objective in this study was to determine the phenotypic expression of gastrointestinal symptom complexes in previously healthy veterans who had been stationed in the Persian Gulf. One hundred and four consecutive veterans (88 males, 16 females) who had previously been deployed in 1990-91 were evaluated for their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. A workup was completed to find identifiable causes of their symptoms and all veterans were asked to do a modified version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire symptom survey. None of the veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms before deployment. During deployment to the Persian Gulf: 22 veterans (21%) developed irritable bowel syndrome; 17 (16%) developed dyspepsia; 50 (48%) developed diarrhea; 11 (11%) developed bloating; and 4 (4%) developed constipation. The results of the current study suggest that the development of irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation is frequently seen in deployed Gulf War Veterans and the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly persist upon returning home. These novel findings are very important for currently deployed veterans who are serving in the Middle East and are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans
AU  - Zachary Thomas Verne
AU  - Jeremy Zachary Fields
AU  - George Nicholas Verne
AU  - Benjamin Buyi Zhang
AU  - Amber Leigh Thacker
AU  - QiQi Zhou
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PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
DO  - 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
T2  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
JF  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
JO  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
AB  - An estimated 694,550 United States service members were actively deployed to the Persian Gulf from 1990-1991. Many veterans who were deployed developed Persian Gulf War Syndrome along with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from the Persian Gulf. Our objective in this study was to determine the phenotypic expression of gastrointestinal symptom complexes in previously healthy veterans who had been stationed in the Persian Gulf. One hundred and four consecutive veterans (88 males, 16 females) who had previously been deployed in 1990-91 were evaluated for their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. A workup was completed to find identifiable causes of their symptoms and all veterans were asked to do a modified version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire symptom survey. None of the veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms before deployment. During deployment to the Persian Gulf: 22 veterans (21%) developed irritable bowel syndrome; 17 (16%) developed dyspepsia; 50 (48%) developed diarrhea; 11 (11%) developed bloating; and 4 (4%) developed constipation. The results of the current study suggest that the development of irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation is frequently seen in deployed Gulf War Veterans and the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly persist upon returning home. These novel findings are very important for currently deployed veterans who are serving in the Middle East and are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.

VL  - 8
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Author Information

Zachary Thomas Verne

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States
Jeremy Zachary Fields

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States
George Nicholas Verne

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States; Research Service, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VA Medical Center, Memphis, The United States
Benjamin Buyi Zhang

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States
Amber Leigh Thacker

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States
QiQi Zhou

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, The United States; Research Service, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr., VA Medical Center, Memphis, The United States

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Verne, Z. T., Fields, J. Z., Verne, G. N., Zhang, B. B., Thacker, A. L., et al. (2024). Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. International Journal of Gastroenterology, 8(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

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ACS Style

Verne, Z. T.; Fields, J. Z.; Verne, G. N.; Zhang, B. B.; Thacker, A. L., et al. Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. Int. J. Gastroenterol. 2024, 8(1), 5-10. doi: 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

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AMA Style

Verne ZT, Fields JZ, Verne GN, Zhang BB, Thacker AL, et al. Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans. Int J Gastroenterol. 2024;8(1):5-10. doi: 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/ijg.20240801.12,
  author = {Zachary Thomas Verne and Jeremy Zachary Fields and George Nicholas Verne and Benjamin Buyi Zhang and Amber Leigh Thacker and QiQi Zhou},
  title = {Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans},
  journal = {International Journal of Gastroenterology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {5-10},
  doi = {10.11648/ijg.20240801.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.ijg.20240801.12},
  abstract = {An estimated 694,550 United States service members were actively deployed to the Persian Gulf from 1990-1991. Many veterans who were deployed developed Persian Gulf War Syndrome along with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from the Persian Gulf. Our objective in this study was to determine the phenotypic expression of gastrointestinal symptom complexes in previously healthy veterans who had been stationed in the Persian Gulf. One hundred and four consecutive veterans (88 males, 16 females) who had previously been deployed in 1990-91 were evaluated for their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. A workup was completed to find identifiable causes of their symptoms and all veterans were asked to do a modified version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire symptom survey. None of the veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms before deployment. During deployment to the Persian Gulf: 22 veterans (21%) developed irritable bowel syndrome; 17 (16%) developed dyspepsia; 50 (48%) developed diarrhea; 11 (11%) developed bloating; and 4 (4%) developed constipation. The results of the current study suggest that the development of irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation is frequently seen in deployed Gulf War Veterans and the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly persist upon returning home. These novel findings are very important for currently deployed veterans who are serving in the Middle East and are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Bloating, and Constipation in Deployed Gulf War Veterans
AU  - Zachary Thomas Verne
AU  - Jeremy Zachary Fields
AU  - George Nicholas Verne
AU  - Benjamin Buyi Zhang
AU  - Amber Leigh Thacker
AU  - QiQi Zhou
Y1  - 2024/02/05
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
DO  - 10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
T2  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
JF  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
JO  - International Journal of Gastroenterology
SP  - 5
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-169X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/ijg.20240801.12
AB  - An estimated 694,550 United States service members were actively deployed to the Persian Gulf from 1990-1991. Many veterans who were deployed developed Persian Gulf War Syndrome along with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after returning from the Persian Gulf. Our objective in this study was to determine the phenotypic expression of gastrointestinal symptom complexes in previously healthy veterans who had been stationed in the Persian Gulf. One hundred and four consecutive veterans (88 males, 16 females) who had previously been deployed in 1990-91 were evaluated for their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. A workup was completed to find identifiable causes of their symptoms and all veterans were asked to do a modified version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire symptom survey. None of the veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms before deployment. During deployment to the Persian Gulf: 22 veterans (21%) developed irritable bowel syndrome; 17 (16%) developed dyspepsia; 50 (48%) developed diarrhea; 11 (11%) developed bloating; and 4 (4%) developed constipation. The results of the current study suggest that the development of irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation is frequently seen in deployed Gulf War Veterans and the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly persist upon returning home. These novel findings are very important for currently deployed veterans who are serving in the Middle East and are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.

VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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