Minneapolis GWI CDMRP Study Seeking Health & Ill Gulf War Veteran Participants

CDMRP-Funded Medical Research Study Examining Tissue Factor, Chronic Coagulopathy and Inflammation in Ill Gulf War Veterans

At least one fourth of the 696,842 US military personnel who served in the 1991 Gulf War suffer from chronic multi-symptom illnesses.  At the present time there are no objective methods for the diagnosis of these Gulf War veterans’ illnesses (GWVI).  Likewise, there are no evidence-based treatments for GWVI.

Dr. Ronald R. Bach, PhD (Principal Investigator) and Billie C. S. Slater (Study Coordinator) are asking you to participate in a new research study in the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.  It is sponsored by the Department of Defense [Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP)] and is entitled, “Biomarkers of Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses: Tissue Factor, Chronic Coagulopathy and Inflammation.”  Your participation is entirely voluntary.

This study is open to all veterans of the 1991 Gulf War (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm: August 2, 1990-July 31, 1991).  To be successful this study needs both healthy and sick veterans to participate.  Approximately 200 veterans will be in the study.

If you meet the study’s enrollment criteria and you choose to enroll, your involvement will last for about one year, though for most participants, you will only need to make one visit to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for about one hour. 

The goal of this study is to find abnormalities in the blood of Gulf War veterans with multi-symptom illnesses. Discovering changes in specific blood factors may make it possible to diagnose GWVI with simple blood tests.  Also, the information gained from this work may help to identify and test potential treatments.

If you are an ill or healthy Gulf War veteran as defined above, and think you might want to be in the study, then you should call Ms. Billie Slater, the Gulf War Study Coordinator. In the Twin Cities [Minneapolis-St. Paul] area, call (612) 467-5679. Outside the Twin Cities, call toll-free 1-866-4145-5058, extension 9-5679.  Billie will answer your questions about the study and can schedule your appointment.

If you decide to participate, then you will go to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for your scheduled appointment. 

First, you will go through the informed consent process with the Gulf War Study Coordinator.  This ensures you understand the study and are voluntarily agreeing to participate.  Once the consent documents are signed, you will be asked questions about:

• Your medical history
• Any medical problems you have had since your service in the Gulf War
• What medications you are currently taking (consider bringing a list with the medication name and dosage)

Next, you will be asked to provide a sample of blood, which will be drawn from a vein in your arm.  The blood sample consists of one 45ml (about 3 tablespoons) blood draw.

This will conclude your visit.  The entire process should require no more than one hour of your time.

For most study subjects, your participation will consist of this one blood draw.  A few subjects may be asked to return for additional blood tests.  The blood tests being performed are for research purposes only.  Neither your answers to any of the study’s questions nor the results of the blood draws will become part of your medical record.

Following the blood draw, you will receive a check for $50 as compensation for your participation in the study.

The Minneapolis VA Medical Center is at the Twin Cities Metro Transit (light rail) VA Medical Center Station. 

*************

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE STUDY

Study Title:  “Biomarkers of Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses: Tissue Factor, Chronic Coagulopathy and Inflammation.” 

Study Type:  GWI Biomarkers

Study Location:  Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Inclusion Criteria:  Ill or Healthy veteran of the 1991 Gulf War with service in the Gulf between August 2, 1990 and July 31, 1991.

Participation Involvement:  About one (1) hour on site, including:  informed consent process, short medical history including problems since Gulf War service, current medications list, blood draw. 

Travel Provided:  No

Compensation for Participation:  $50

Contact:  Ms. Billie Slater, Gulf War Study Coordinator, (612) 467-5679, or toll-free 1-866-414-5058 extension 9-5679