Exposure reporting disparity in Gulf War Registry–related clinical assessments:

摘要

Objectives:The Gulf War Registry monitors related health conditions of veterans returning from the Persian Gulf Region. Enrollment consists of two phases: Phase I—veterans meet with their local VA Environmental Health Coordinator and complete the self-reported Gulf War Phase I Worksheet (VA Form 10-9009A). Phase II involves a physical exam, medical history review, and laboratory test analysis conducted by a licensed physician. The providers’ documentations are frequently referred for exposure assessment and benefit claim. We conducted an initial comparison assessment to ascertain any potential disparity in exposure reporting between the applicants in Phase I and the providers in Phase II.Methods:With institutional human subject committee approval, a list of veterans with a Gulf War Registry electronic medical note from the VA San Diego Healthcare System (2013–2015) was obtained. Comparing Phase I with Phase II reports allows three distinct reporting group combinations for each of the 21 exposure categorie...