A comparison of clinical diagnoses among male and female soldiers deployed during the Persian Gulf War.

A comparison of medical disorders between male and female soldiers during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm is presented. Acute gastrointestinal, acute respiratory, dermatologic, dental, psychiatric, orthopedic and optometric disorders were chosen for study. No association between the groups was noted for acute minor illnesses and dental disorders. Men were more likely to be diagnosed with orthopedic and dermatologic disorders (p < 0.001 and p < 0.019). Women were more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric and optometric disorders (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). These results can assist military and medical strategists target differential health care to male and female soldiers in the deployed garrison and combat scenarios.