Antibiotic Treatment of Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (NCT00007735) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 3
Antibiotic Treatment of Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
United States, Puerto Rico450 participantsStarted 1999-01
Plain-language summary
In 1990 and 1991, the U.S. deployed approximately 700,000 troops to the Persian Gulf to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. While there were few casualties associated with the Gulf War, many individuals returned from this conflict with unexplained symptoms and illnesses. This constellation of symptoms has been termed Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (GWI). Although several explanations have been offered as to the cause of GWI, none of the putative etiologic agents or conditions is currently supported by sufficient evidence. One explanation that has received fairly widespread attention is systemic Mycoplasma fermentans infection. It is the purpose of this study to determine if antibiotic treatment directed against Mycoplasma species (i.e. doxycycline) will improve functioning and symptoms in deployed Gulf War veterans with GWI.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
All veterans deployed to the Gulf War between August, 1990 and August, 1991 having at least two of the following symptoms: Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain or neurocognitive dysfunction. Mycoplasma positive
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial tested antibiotics specifically for Gulf War illness linked to Mycoplasma infections — do you think my symptoms and history match what this study was targeting, and is Mycoplasma infection something worth testing me for?
2Since this was a completed Phase 3 trial, has the published data shown any meaningful benefit from the antibiotic treatment they used, and how might those results apply to my situation?
3If Mycoplasma infection is suspected in my case, are the antibiotics used in this trial something that could be prescribed for me today outside of a clinical trial, or would I need to enroll in further research to access that approach?
4Gulf War illness can involve a range of overlapping symptoms — how confident are you that my diagnosis fits the specific profile of patients who were enrolled in this study, and does that affect how relevant the trial's findings are for me?
5Are there standard treatments or other completed studies for Gulf War illness that might be worth trying first, and how does the evidence from this antibiotic trial compare to those other options?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.