Gulf War Illness: A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Interventions and Management Strategies

Prepared by: Evidence Synthesis Program (ESP) Center Portland VA Health Care System Portland, OR Devan Kansagara, MD, MCR, Director Recommended citation: Freeman M, Nugent SM, Ayers CK, Winchell KA, Press A, O'Neil ME, Kansagara D. Gulf War Illness – A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Interventions and Management Strategies. Washington, DC: Evidence Synthesis Program, Health Services Research and Development Service, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs. VA ESP Project #05-225; 2020.

Download PDF: Complete Report, Executive Summary, Report, Appendices

Aim

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and harms associated with therapeutic interventions for Gulf War Illness (GWI) and its related symptoms. This review helps to identify treatments that warrant further inquiry, as well as treatments with a moderate base of evidence showing lack of effect and potential for harm.

Key Questions

KQ1: Evidence on effectiveness/harms: What are the benefits and harms of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and management strategies for Veterans with GWI?

KQ2: Evidence about subgroups: Do the effectiveness or harms of the interventions/strategies differ among subgroups of Veterans with GWI, such as female Veterans or cases defined by specific criteria, in comparison with Veterans with GWI overall?

KQ3: Emerging research: What interventions for GWI have been examined in

1. a) noncomparative studies only?
2. b) ongoing/unpublished trials or cohort studies?

See also

Nugent S, Freeman M, Ayers C, et al. A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Interventions and Management Strategies for Gulf War Illness. Military Medicine. Published online October 30, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa260

Gulf War Illness: A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Interventions and Management Strategies (Management eBrief)

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