§ Lord Elderasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the latest figures for deaths of Gulf veterans, and amongst the control group. [HL5473]
§ Lord BachThe latest data, as at 30 June 2002, are shown in Table 1. Because of concern among some Gulf veterans over deaths caused by cancer, Table 2 provides a detailed breakdown of deaths from cancer (malignant neoplasm) by anatomical site.
We are currently discussing with the University of Manchester proposals for a detailed comparative study of the incidence of cancers among Gulf veterans and the Era comparison group and underlying factors, and hope to place a contract shortly. We also plan to commission a study of a cohort of Bosnia veterans on whom data is already available.
We are also discussing with the University of Manchester a detailed study of the factors underlying the figures for road traffic accident deaths, and hope to place a contract in the near future.
In addition, we have asked the Medical Research Council (MRC) to undertake an independent review of the research work that has been carried out into Gulf veterans' illnesses and advise on appropriate areas for furture research. The MRC's conclusions will be published.
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Table 1 Deaths to UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1) 1 April 1991–30 June 2002 Causes (coded to ICD-9) (Note: 2) ICD Chapter Cause of death Gulf Era Mortality Rate Ratio (Note: 3) All deaths 551 547 1.00 All cause coded deaths 542 537 1.00 I–XVI Disease-related causes 213 256 0.83 I Infectious and parasitic diseases 4 2 1.99
Table 1 Deaths to UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1) 1 April 1991–30 June 2002 Causes (coded to ICD-9) (Note: 2) ICD Chapter Cause of death Gulf Era Mortality Rate Ratio (Note: 3) II Cancers 92 99 0.93 III Endocrine and immune disorders 1 4 0.25 V Mental disorders 11 12 0.91 VI Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs 10 8 1.24 VII Diseases of the circulatory system 71 99 0.71 VIII Diseases of the respiratory system 10 5 1.99 IX Diseases of the digestive system 12 17 0.70 IV, X–XVI All other disease-related causes 2 10 0.20 EXVII External causes of injury and poisoning 329 281 1.17 Railway accidents 4 1 3.98 Motor vehicle accidents 118 92 1.27 Water transport accidents 4 1 3.98 Air and space accidents 25 18 1.38 Other vehicle accidents 0 2 0.00 Accidental poisoning 11 14 0.78 Accidental falls 8 7 1.14 Accidents due to fire/flames 0 2 0.00 Accidents due to natural environmental factors 2 2 1.00 Accidents due to submersion/suffocation/foreign bodies 17 7 2.42 Other accidents 31 28 1.14 Late effects of accident/injury 0 2 0.00 Suicide and injury undetermined whether accidental 100 97 1.03 Homicide 6 4 1.49 Injury resulting from the operations of war 3 4 0.75 Other deaths for which coded cause data are not yet available 5 4 Other deaths for which cause data are not available 4 6> Notes:
1. Service and Ex-Service personnel only.
2. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.
3. Mortality rate ratios differ marginally from the crude deaths ratio owing to some small differences between the Gulf and Era cohorts.
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Table 2 Deaths due to neoplasms among UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1): 1 April 1991–30 June 2002 Major anatomical sites (coded to ICD-9) (Note 2) ICD 9 Site Gulf Era 140–239 All neoplasms 92 99 140–149 Malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity and pharynx 3 4 150–159 Malignant neoplasm of digestive organs and 18 23
Table 2 Deaths due to neoplasms among UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1): 1 April 1991–30 June 2002 Major anatomical sites (coded to ICD-9) (Note 2) ICD 9 Site Gulf Era Peritoneum 160–165 Malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs 15 21 170–175 Malignant neoplasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast 14 8 179–189 Malignant neoplasm of genitourinary organs 2 4 190–199 Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified site 18 26 200–208 Malignant neoplasm of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue 19 11 239 Unspecified nature 3 2 Notes:
1. Service and Ex-Service personnel only.
2. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.