Introduction: Danish Gulf War veterans (GWVs) have a high prevalence of mental and cognitive symptoms and self-reported dyspnoea.
Methods: 686 GWVs were included in the study and compared with 231 controls. Extensive information about the participants was obtained from a questionnaire, and they all underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations.
Results: The prevalence of dyspnoea in GWVs was 29.2%, in controls 19.5%, p = 0.005. Adjusted for age, smoking and physical activity the GWVs OR for dyspnoea at light physical demand was OR = 1.55(1.1-2.3), p = 0.02. Further adjustment for cognitive and mental symptoms reduced the OR to a non significant level, OR = 1.09(0.7-1.6), p = 0.68.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of dyspnoea among GWVs could largely be attributed to their high prevalence of mental and cognitive symptoms. In general, the results emphasize the psychological component in dyspnoea.