This week, VA’s Office of Research and Development published three News Briefs highlighting research findings on the effects of Gulf War exposures on heart disease risk, increasing non-VA prescriptions, and a potential new leukemia treatment.

Gulf War exposures led to higher heart disease risk

Researchers with the VA Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety led a team that linked toxic exposures during deployments to an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) in Gulf War Veterans. ASCVD are a group of medical conditions caused by a buildup of plaque along artery walls. The researchers analyzed data from more than 900 Veterans who deployed to the Persian Gulf between August 1990 and July 1991. Eleven percent reported one or more ASCVD conditions. Exposure to oil well fire smoke increased the odds of ASCVD by 295%; pyridostigmine bromide pills, which were given to troops to protect against nerve agent attacks, increased the odds by 237%; and exposure to chemical/biological agents increased the odds by 418%. The data suggests clinicians should discuss these exposures and the risk they carry for ASCVD with their Gulf War Veteran patients. View the full study from “Cardiovascular Toxicology.”

Facilities outside VA give Veterans more prescriptions

VA Pittsburgh researchers found the number of prescriptions from non-VA, urgent care facilities to Veterans increased dramatically between 2019 and 2023, raising concerns about safety and compliance. The study used the newly available Community Care Reimbursement System to analyze non-VA, urgent care prescriptions for nearly 84,000 Veterans from July 2019 to March 2023. Overall, 9% of their prescriptions were potentially non-compliant with prescribing recommendations. Of the 270,000 prescriptions filled, 43% were antimicrobials and 16% were hormones or steroids, raising concerns about safety and potential adverse reactions between drugs. The findings highlight the need for improved support and coordination to monitor and enhance Veterans’ medication safety when receiving community care. View the full study from “Healthcare.”

Possible new leukemia treatment found

VA researchers from the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and the University of Colorado proved blocking a protein called STAT3 can lead to the death of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, a rare but aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer. Researchers discovered that when the STAT3 production is inhibited, the leukemia cells lose viability. The researchers also found lowering STAT3 levels can enhance the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat AML, suggesting this could be a promising new genetic treatment for leukemia. View the full study from “Haematologica.”

For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.