This week, VA’s Office of Research and Development published three News Briefs highlighting research findings on the effects of Gulf War exposures on heart disease risk, increasing non-VA prescriptions, and a potential new leukemia treatment.
Gulf War exposures led to higher heart disease risk
Researchers with the VA Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety led a team that linked toxic exposures during deployments to an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) in Gulf War Veterans. ASCVD are a group of medical conditions caused by a buildup of plaque along artery walls. The researchers analyzed data from more than 900 Veterans who deployed to the Persian Gulf between August 1990 and July 1991. Eleven percent reported one or more ASCVD conditions. Exposure to oil well fire smoke increased the odds of ASCVD by 295%; pyridostigmine bromide pills, which were given to troops to protect against nerve agent attacks, increased the odds by 237%; and exposure to chemical/biological agents increased the odds by 418%. The data suggests clinicians should discuss these exposures and the risk they carry for ASCVD with their Gulf War Veteran patients. View the full study from “Cardiovascular Toxicology.”
Facilities outside VA give Veterans more prescriptions
VA Pittsburgh researchers found the number of prescriptions from non-VA, urgent care facilities to Veterans increased dramatically between 2019 and 2023, raising concerns about safety and compliance. The study used the newly available Community Care Reimbursement System to analyze non-VA, urgent care prescriptions for nearly 84,000 Veterans from July 2019 to March 2023. Overall, 9% of their prescriptions were potentially non-compliant with prescribing recommendations. Of the 270,000 prescriptions filled, 43% were antimicrobials and 16% were hormones or steroids, raising concerns about safety and potential adverse reactions between drugs. The findings highlight the need for improved support and coordination to monitor and enhance Veterans’ medication safety when receiving community care. View the full study from “Healthcare.”
Possible new leukemia treatment found
VA researchers from the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and the University of Colorado proved blocking a protein called STAT3 can lead to the death of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, a rare but aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer. Researchers discovered that when the STAT3 production is inhibited, the leukemia cells lose viability. The researchers also found lowering STAT3 levels can enhance the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat AML, suggesting this could be a promising new genetic treatment for leukemia. View the full study from “Haematologica.”
For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.
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blood disorder. The VA SENT ME A LETTER DIRECTING ME TO TAKE A BLOOD DRAW AT A VA FACILITY. THE RESULTS WOULD GRANT ME 100% disability rating. That was in 1980 after i retired from the military. I am still waiting to hear from the VA. I am Viet Nam combat Veteran. 82nd airborne Div and the 25th Inf Div I serve with both of these units in Viet Nam.
YES, I’m a Blue Water Vietnam Veteran, after fighting for 8 years with the V A service connection Agent Orange bladder cancer was granted with ( 0 ) percent evaluation, NO $, not fair, will keep on appealing Ed Dool, USN 1963-1969
Anything on Agent Orange, I am a lung Cancer patient. Are there any new findings?
I was exposed to toxins while serving in Southeast Asia and was given credit for it in my disability claim. However, I was 2 1/2 miles from 700 burning oil wells in Desert Storm and suffering from COPD, but the VA hasn’t given me any credit for that. It appears that the VA has a certain number they assign for certain medical conditions and once that’s assigned, they completely ignore other factors. Now, my family suffers as they watch me attempt to deal with constant coughing, keeping them awake thru the night. Something has to be done with the VA rating system which is grossly inadequate.
I always hear that if you were in Vietnam, you were definitely exposed to toxic chemicals. But when you apply for such compensation, all you hear is WELL YOU DON’T SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS. Why tell us to apply when you already know we’ll be denied? Wish you would stop with your BULLSHIT games.
I told a VA Rep that they were just waiting on all us Vietnam Vets to die.