학술논문
Longitudinal Evaluation of Lung Function in Gulf War I Veterans Exposed to Depleted Uranium
Document Type
Periodical
Author
Source
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dec 2020, Vol. 62 Issue 12, p1059, 4 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1076-2752
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:: Gulf War I (GWI) Veterans exposed to depleted uranium (DU) have undergone biennial surveillance to assess for DU-related health effects. No DU-specific respiratory effects have been observed cross-sectionally, but longitudinal lung function decline has not been assessed. METHODS:: A dynamic cohort of 71 Veterans underwent spirometry testing between 1999 and 2019. Longitudinal rates of decline of spirometry values were compared among Veterans with high versus low uranium levels using a linear mixed model. RESULTS:: There was no significant difference in rate of decline of spirometry values between Veterans with high versus low uranium levels. The overall rate of decline was similar to that of the general population. CONCLUSIONS:: In 20 years of follow-up, there does not appear to be an accelerated rate of decline of lung function among veterans exposed to depleted uranium.