Survey Cover Letter

G eorge E. Wahlen V.A. Medical Center

500 Foothill Drive

Salt Lake City, UT 84148

Dear Veteran:

The George E. Wahlen V.A. Medical Center at Salt Lake City, UT is conducting a study to better understand the digestive symptoms of the First Persian Gulf War Veterans (1990-1991).

The information obtained from this study may help in providing enhanced care to Veterans or to anybody who develops bowel disorders following travel abroad. You have received this letter because you are a Persian Gulf Veteran.

The enclosed questionnaire includes questions about your current health, deployment to the Gulf and disorders of the intestine. It will take about 45 minutes to complete the entire survey. If you qualify, you may be enrolled in the diagnosis and treatment part of the study.

Your participation in this study is voluntary and you may withdraw from it at anytime without prejudice to yourself or to any future medical care. You may feel uncomfortable or anxious while answering some of the sensitive question(s) about your health; you may decide to omit that question (s).

Your answers will remain strictly confidential. Each questionnaire is assigned a code number. The information gathered from this study will be stored in locked secure cabinet in the Division of Gastroenterology, Geroge E. Wahlen V.A. Medical Center. The computerized data is saved on password-protected computers, also in secured Gastroenterology research offices. The principal investigator, co-investigator, and the study coordinator will have access to this data. Your study data will be kept confidential as possible under local, state and federal laws. Your data will be kept confidential except in cases where the researcher is legally obligated to report specific incidents. These include, but may not be limited to, incidents of abuse and suicide risk. All other information will be kept confidential by Ashok K. Tuteja, M.D. Principal Investigator.

Your continuing to answer the questions will serve as consent to participate. If you have any additional questions during the course of the study, you may contact Ashok K. Tuteja, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, Tel: 801-582-1565, [email protected]. If you have any distress related to discussing combat exposure, they may contact Dr. Steven Allen, PTSD Clinic (during office hours by calling 801-582-1565, ext 2390) and after hours through emergency room/ psychiatric resident on call (801-584-1205; coverage provided 24 hours a day)

If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, or if problems arise which you do not feel you can discuss with the investigator, please contact the Institution Review Board Office at 801-581-3655.

Thank you for participation in the study.

Sincerely

Ashok K. Tuteja, M.D., M.P.H.

Principal Investigator