There is no evidence that Vietnam veterans face a significantly
greater risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Motor Neurone Disesase
(MND) than the general community, according to a study released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and
the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).
The report, Morbidity of Vietnam Veterans: Multiple Sclerosis
and Motor Neurone Disease in Vietnam Veterans (supplementary report
no. 3), was commissioned by DVA and produced by the AIHW.
MS and MND have long been conditions of concern to the veteran
community.
MS is a disorder of the central nervous system that results in
decreased nerve function. It is one of the most common neurological
causes of long-term disability.
MND is a progressive disease commonly affecting middle-aged and
elderly people. It occurs when the nerves that control the muscles
fail to work normally-leading to muscle deterioration and waste,
and eventually death.
With the permission of the veterans, the study followed up
medical reports of 145 veterans who had reported having either MS
or MND in a 1997 study into the health of Vietnam veterans and
their families. Confirmation of these self-reported conditions was
made by having veterans' clinical notes independently assessed by
an expert neurologist panel.
The study found 20 confirmed cases of MS and 3 of MND in Vietnam
veterans, both numbers falling within the expected range for the
Australian community.
25 May 2001
Further information on report's content:
Phil Trickett, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1097
Media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.