Evaluation of Persian Gulf veterans with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

BACKGROUND: Persian Gulf syndrome is a set of symptoms that do not fit into well-understood diagnostic categories. Among these symptoms, there are some that could suggest a generalized neuropathic process. OBJECTIVE: Correlate neurological symptoms with objective electrodiagnostic findings. METHODS: A randomized sample of 176 Persian Gulf veterans (PGV) evaluated at the San Juan Veterans Administration Medical Center was obtained. The subjects completed a questionnaire, and those who met the inclusion criteria underwent electrodiagnostic evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 176 PGV selected, 162 completed the questionnaire. The next step was to perform electrodiagnostic studies on those who described symptoms suggesting peripheral neuropathy and met the inclusion criteria. Twelve individuals met the inclusion criteria for electro-diagnostic studies. All studies were normal except that two subjects were found to have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a relatively small sample of PGV, the findings are in accordance with other studies in which no definite generalized neuropathic pattern has been described.