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(10/02/2025) Gulf War illness (GWI) affects 30% of the 700,000 Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf from 1990 to 1991. GWI is associated with a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and mood/thought issues, but perhaps upper gastrointestinal illness (UGI) should be added to that list. A study by VA’s IQUEST and WRIISC found that nearly 600 participating Veterans, 94% reported at least one UGI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, poor appetite, acid reflux, or stomach pain. In fact, these Veterans each had three symptoms of UGI on average. While all of the UGI symptoms are treatable, they are not regularly screened for and can be overshadowed by other GWI symptoms. The researchers suggest clinicians routinely screen for UGI symptoms in Gulf War Veterans given the strong association between these symptoms and GWI. (BMJ Open Gastroenterology, Sep. 5, 2025)