Gulf War Illness Inflammation Reduction Trial

During Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Aug 2, 1990 to July 31,1991) 696,841 United States Military personnel were deployed to the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations. Today approximately one-third of those veterans are suffering from GWI, an unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. Evidence of chronic inflammation in veterans with GWI has emerged from previous observational studies. The goal of this trial is to determine if reducing the GWI-associated chronic inflammation is an effective treatment for GWI. This is a randomized, two group, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial. The treatment group will receive a low dose (2x5mg) once a day of delayed-release prednisone (Rayos) for 8 weeks. The placebo group will receive matching placebo (2x5mg) once a day for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure for this clinical trial is a change from baseline of HRQOL with respect to physical functioning and symptoms. The secondary outcome measures include changes from baseline of peripheral blood levels of GWI-associated biomarkers of inflammation, changes from baseline of GWI-associated symptoms (chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment), and a change from baseline of HRQOL with respect to mental functioning.

Inclusion criteria

• Scores moderate-severe on at least 3 out of 6 domains from the Kansas GWI Case Definition
• Deployed, (and honorably discharged), from the Kuwaiti Theater of Operation (August 2, 1990-July 31, 1991)

Exclusion criteria

• Hospitalization anytime since 1990 for Alcohol or Drug Dependence, Depression, or PTSD
• Known hypersensitivity to Prednisone
• Liver, (active or recent Hepatitis B or C treatment with a completion date within the past 6 months, or alcohol liver disease), or Kidney Disease (Hep B and C ok if after 6 months of treatment)
• Treated Diabetes
• Females who are Pregnant or Nursing
• Female who refuses to use an accepted method of birth control
• Exclusionary Labs: C-Reactive Protein >25, Creatinine Clearance <30, EFGR ≥ 30, Hgb A1-C >7, Glucose >120, WBC >12, RBC >6.2, Hematocrit >60, Hemoglobin <11, Platelets <100, Liver Function Tests (2 x the upper limit of AST and ALT, 2 x the upper limit of Total Bilirubin, and Alkaline Phosphatase)
• Has Inflammatory Arthritis (RA, or Psoriatic Arthritis, Spondylitis, Polyarthritis)
• Reactive Arthritis, or IBD associated Arthritis
• Has any major inflammatory disease (acute Chronic Infections, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Inflammatory lung diseases- COPD or Asthma requiring steroid treatment, Pericarditis, Vasculitis)
• Has an chronic/active infection
• Chronic use of Prednisone or Corticosteroids (occasional inhaled use of steroids acceptable)
• Active Gum Disease or Dental Infection
• Has been diagnosed with Lupus, Stroke, or Multiple Sclerosis. or any other diagnosis that produces symptoms of fatigue, cognitive impairment, or pain will be excluded based on the Kansas GWI Case definition
• Has a condition that may interfere with the ability to accurately report symptoms, (Severe Psychiatric Problems, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol or Drug Dependence requiring hospitalization, or regular illegal drug use)
• Heart Disease (other than Hypertension), Heart Failure or Coronary Heart Disease requiring hospitalization within the past 12 months
• Cancer (other than basal cell skin cancer), requiring treatment within the past 12 months, or life expectancy of less than 1 year.
• Hospitalization within the past 3 months