Botz-Zapp Christian Alan, Wang Jami, Kazangian Eric, Ferrer Jennifer
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA.
Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Fontana, CA, USA.
Perm J. 2025 Jun 16;29(2):84-87. doi: 10.7812/TPP/24.071. Epub 2025 May 9.
Gulf War illness (GWI) is a chronic condition affecting nearly a third of Gulf War veterans and is characterized by persistent symptoms across a number of physical and neuropsychiatric domains. This case study examined a 52-year-old veteran admitted on a psychiatric hold for danger to others. The patient's symptoms, including chronic migraine, widespread musculoskeletal pain, skin sensitivities, environmental allergies, and mood and cognitive disturbances, met criteria for GWI according to 2 accepted case definitions. Initial misdiagnosis of psychosis was corrected upon evaluation, which identified severe anxiety consistent with generalized anxiety disorder. Treatment focused on providing validation of the patient's chronic symptoms and managing his anxiety through pharmacologic intervention. This case underscored the importance of recognizing GWI to ensure accurate diagnoses and targeted care for veterans.
海湾战争综合征（GWI）是一种慢性病，影响了近三分之一的海湾战争退伍军人，其特征是在多个身体和神经精神领域存在持续症状。本案例研究考察了一名52岁因对他人构成危险而被强制进行精神治疗的退伍军人。根据两种公认的病例定义，该患者的症状，包括慢性偏头痛、广泛的肌肉骨骼疼痛、皮肤敏感、环境过敏以及情绪和认知障碍，符合海湾战争综合征的标准。经评估，最初对精神病的误诊得到纠正，确诊为与广泛性焦虑症相符的严重焦虑症。治疗重点是确认患者的慢性症状，并通过药物干预来控制其焦虑情绪。该案例强调了识别海湾战争综合征对于确保退伍军人得到准确诊断和针对性治疗的重要性。
