Screening for peripheral neuropathy in chemical warfare victims.
We aimed to assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in chemical warfare victims. We speculated that peripheral neuropathy is a late complication of exposure to chemical warfare agents. Late complications of exposure to chemical warfare agents are not well known and are poorly discussed in the existing literature. Scientific data regarding delayed complications are sparse, but this warrants recognition, especially when the clinician has to treat chemical warfare victims. The hazards of organophosphate pesticides and several toxins, although recognized to some extent, are, however, different from the hazards of chemical warfare agents which are far more serious. In this study, 100 chemical warfare patients, with varying degrees of exposure and an average age of 37.2+/-9.0 years, were examined clinically and studied electrodiagnostically from January 2002 to January 2003. Five of these patients proved to be suffering from axonal neuropathy. This rate was significantly higher than that found in the normal population. Our data indicate that chemical warfare agents may cause peripheral neuropathy in chemical warfare victims. In conclusion, organophosphorous agents used against Iranian troops during the war on Iran correlate with delayed neuropathy in these victims.
Holisaz
Mohammad Taghi
MT
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baqiyatallah Medical Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. motamedical@lycos.com
Rayegani
Seyyed Mansoor
SM
Hafezy
Rahmatollah
R
Khedmat
Hossein
H
Motamedi
Mohammad Hosein K
MH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004576:Electromyography; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas