Longitudinal outcomes for military personnel with dermatological conditions

Skin-related (dermatological) conditions are common among military personnel. In Wave 2 (2011-2012) of the Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study, around one-third of Gulf War veterans reported rashes/skin irritation, and over half of these veterans had reported similar conditions 10 years earlier. In a comparison group of Australian Defence Force military personnel who were not deployed to the Gulf War but were serving in the military at the time of the 1990-1991 Gulf War, around one-fifth reported rashes/skin irritation which persisted in 36%. Other reported conditions were skin infections and ulcers. These data indicate a significant burden of these dermatological conditions in military personnel. However, little is known about longitudinal outcomes for military personnel or veterans who report skin-related conditions. Therefore, the aim of this analyses would be to examine longitudinal outcomes for veterans reporting dermatological conditions in Wave 1 (2000-2002) of Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study. The analysis will use data from both Waves of the Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study. Longitudinal outcomes of interest will include prevalence and incidence of reported dermatological conditions including rashes/skin irritation, skin infection and ulcers and doctor diagnosed dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, malignant melanoma and other skin cancers. It is anticipated that the results of this analysis will be submitted for publication as a peer-reviewed manuscript. Additionally, the findings will be shared with the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.