Abdominal pain due to lead-contaminated opium: a new source of inorganic lead poisoning in Iran.
Although the incidence of occupational and adult lead poisoning has declined, the problem still exists. We encountered three patients with lead poisoning in Iran, all of whom associated with presented with diffuse abdominal pain, which was at times colicky in nature, anemia, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and slightly abnormal liver biochemistries. A history of opium ingestion was present in each of these patients. None of the patients reported known occupational exposure to toxins. Diagnoses of lead poisoning were confirmed through the detection of elevated blood lead levels. The cause of lead poisoning was attributed to the ingestion of contaminated opium. Opium adulterated with lead had not been previously recognized as a source of lead poisoning in Iran. It is, therefore, pointed out that lead poisoning should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute abdominal colic of unclear cause in patients with opium addiction.
Masoodi
Mohsen
M
The Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. masoodi47@yahoo.com
Zali
Mohammad-Reza
MR
Ehsani-Ardakani
Mohammad-Javad
MJ
Mohammad-Alizadeh
Amir-Hoshang
AH
Aiassofi
Kazem
K
Aghazadeh
Rahim
R
Shavakhi
Ahmad
A
Somi
Mohammad-Hossein
MH
Antikchi
Mohammad-Hossein
MH
Yazdani
Saeed
S
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood; D009892:Opium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D012651:Self Medication
D002614:Chelating Agents; D009892:Opium; D004492:Edetic Acid