Abstract

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To better understand the health problems of veterans of the Persian Gulf War by analyzing previous war-related illnesses and identifying possible unifying factors.

DATA SOURCE:

English-language articles and books on war-related illnesses published since 1863 that were located primarily through a manual search of bibliographies.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Publications were assessed for information on the clinical characteristics of war-related illnesses and the research methods used to evaluate such illnesses.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To provide an epidemiologic description of physical injuries and fatalities resulting from the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

Descriptive epidemiologic study of all persons injured by the bombing and of all at-risk occupants of the federal building and 4 adjacent buildings. Data were gathered from hospital emergency and medical records departments, medical examiner records, and surveys of area physicians, building occupants, and survivors.

STUDY POPULATION:

Abstract