Table 2.
Characteristics of men classified as having type I infertility since Gulf war*. Values are numbers (percentages), percentages clinically confirmed
| Characteristics | Gulf veterans (n=259) | Non-Gulf veterans (n=122) |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancies before Gulf war | 45 (17.4) | 27 (22.1) |
| Clinical information† available | ||
| Yes: | 110 (42.5) | 49 (40.2) |
| Actual semen analysis results provided with clinical information | 41 (15.8) | 21 (17.2) |
| Clinical summary of semen analysis only | 69 (26.6) | 28 (23.0) |
| No | 149 (57.5) | 73 (59.8) |
| Diagnosis‡ | ||
| Male factor diagnosed: | 97 (37.5) | 47 (38.5) |
| Male factor alone (no female factor found) | 67 (25.9) | 30 (24.6) |
| Male and female factors | 30 (11.6) | 17 (13.9) |
| No male factor: | 80 (30.9) | 35 (28.7) |
| Female factor diagnosed | 44 (17.0) | 19 (15.6) |
| No problem with either partner (“female factor unexplained”) | 36 (13.9) | 16 (13.1) |
| Male factor not known: | 82 (31.7) | 40 (32.8) |
| Female factor diagnosed | 40 (15.4) | 13 (10.7) |
| No female factor found | 6 (2.3) | 3 (2.5) |
| Female factor not known | 36 (13.9) | 24 (19.7) |
| Male factor infertility§¶ | ||
| Azoospermia§ | 10 (3.9), 70.0 | 5 (4.1), 60.0 |
| Oligospermia§ | 63 (24.3), 52.4 | 27 (22.1), 40.7 |
| Asthenospermia§ | 39 (15.1), 71.8 | 19 (15.6), 89.5 |
| Teratospermia§: | 21 (8.1), 76.2 | 6 (4.9), 100 |
| Oligoasthenospermia | 13 (5.0), 69.2 | 4 (3.3), 100 |
| Oligoteratospermia | 6 (2.3), 50.0 | 0 (0), — |
| Asthenoteratospermia | 3 (1.2), 100 | 3 (2.5), 100 |
| Oligoasthenoteratospermia | 8 (3.1), 87.5 | 2 (1.6), 100 |
| Other male infertility factor§ | 2 (0.8), 100 | 1 (0.8), 0 |
Tried for pregnancy after Gulf war without success for more than a year and consulted a doctor before 1 August 1997 about failure to conceive. With or without conceptions before Gulf war, but no conceptions after Gulf war previous to unsuccessful attempt. Excludes 14 men reporting fertility problems due to unsuccessful reversal of (elective) sterilisation, congenital urogenital anomaly, injuries (for example, paralysis), or cancer treatment.
Clinical information relating to fertility problems requested from general practitioner or medical officer of both partners, including request for copy of semen analysis results, if available.
Where clinical evidence not available, diagnosis made from self report only.
Participants may appear in more than one category if diagnosed as having more than one condition.
Clinically confirmed=summary from clinician with or without semen analysis results form, where patient had consented, details of general practitioner or medical officer were provided and current, and clinical notes were located.