TY - JOUR
T1 - Methodologic issues in a population-based health survey of Gulf War veterans
AU - Doebbeling, Bradley N.
AU - Jones, Martha F.
AU - Hall, Daniel B.
AU - Clarke, William R.
AU - Woolson, Robert F.
AU - Torner, James C.
AU - Burmeister, Leon F.
AU - Snyders-Crumley, Terri
AU - Barrett, Drue H.
AU - Falter, Kenneth H.
AU - Merchant, James A.
AU - Nusser, Sarah
AU - Anderson, Dianne
AU - Schwartz, David A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was partially supported by CDC Cooperative Agreement, U50/CCU711513, and Department of Defense Grant #DAMD17-97-1. We were very fortunate in enlisting the support and participation of many individuals throughout this study. Investigators at the University of Iowa, Iowa Department of Public Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include (in addition to the authors): D.W. Black, K.G. Saag, P.S. Thorne, Z.K. Ballas, J. Barrash, L.P. Boss, T.B. Casale, E. Chrischilles, H. Falk, M.D. Hansen, R.G. Kathol, J.A. Kelly, B.M. Pfohl, W.W. Piette, P. Quinlisk, J.E. Rohrer, N.L. Sprince, P. Tallboy, and C. Zwerling). We also acknowledge the Iowa State University Statistical Laboratory (Toni Genalo, Andrew Williams, and Jan Larson) who assisted in the structured telephone interview and supervised the telephone survey. The Scientific Advisory Committee (Chair: Jonathan Samet, MD, MS [Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health]; Mark Cullen, MD [Yale University School of Medicine]; Pierce Gardner, MD [SUNY at Stony Brook]; Michele Marcus, PhD [Emory University]; Earl Pollack, ScD [The Center to Protect Worker's Rights]; and Janet B.W. Williams, DSW [Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute]) provided advice, guidance, and critique throughout all phases of this investigation. The Public Advisory Committee (Co-chairs: Tim Striley and John Kelly [Iowa Department of Public Health], Oscar Ballard [Paralyzed Vets of America], Randy Brown [Commission of Veterans Affairs], Sgt. Scott Clyce, Dennis W. Gooden [Disabled American Veterans], Mark Heiderscheit, Richard Hodges [VAMC, Des Moines], M. Terry Lipovac [Veterans of Foreign Wars], Lydia Siefken, Robert O. Steben [AmVets], Phillip Talboy [CDC], Annie Tuttle [VAMC, Iowa City], Tully Walker [VAMC, Des Moines], Larry Wisnosky [VA Regional Office], and Colonel Mark Zirkelbach [Iowa National Guard, Camp Dodge]) established an open dialogue between our study and veterans, veteran organizations, and affected individuals.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - This report describes the principal methods used in the development, conduct, and analysis of the research study "Health Assessment of Persian Gulf War Veterans from Iowa" (Iowa Gulf War Study). The methods presented include an outline of the organizational structure, study timeline, hypotheses, outcome definitions, and study design. Adhering to a strict timeline, the study protocol and instruments were developed, and a stratified sample of 3,695 military personnel (76% participation) was located and surveyed by structured telephone interview. The study tracked personnel from all service branches residing nationally and internationally, including those discharged from service. This study required development and implementation of methods appropriate to analysis of data collected in a complex sampling framework and methodological procedures to ensure scientific rigor in a highly public and politicized environment. Statistical analyses were conducted on a priori health outcomes and required development of methods to compute Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel adjusted rate differences. This environment facilitated rapid implementation, critique by scientific and public advisors, a high participation rate, and rapid publication.
AB - This report describes the principal methods used in the development, conduct, and analysis of the research study "Health Assessment of Persian Gulf War Veterans from Iowa" (Iowa Gulf War Study). The methods presented include an outline of the organizational structure, study timeline, hypotheses, outcome definitions, and study design. Adhering to a strict timeline, the study protocol and instruments were developed, and a stratified sample of 3,695 military personnel (76% participation) was located and surveyed by structured telephone interview. The study tracked personnel from all service branches residing nationally and internationally, including those discharged from service. This study required development and implementation of methods appropriate to analysis of data collected in a complex sampling framework and methodological procedures to ensure scientific rigor in a highly public and politicized environment. Statistical analyses were conducted on a priori health outcomes and required development of methods to compute Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel adjusted rate differences. This environment facilitated rapid implementation, critique by scientific and public advisors, a high participation rate, and rapid publication.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0895-4356(01)00517-0
DO - 10.1016/S0895-4356(01)00517-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 12007551
AN - SCOPUS:0036243336
SN - 0895-4356
VL - 55
SP - 477
EP - 487
JO - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
JF - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
IS - 5
ER -