Long-term complications of sulphur mustard poisoning in intoxicated Iranian veterans.
BACKGROUND
Sulphur mustard (SM) is an alkylating chemical warfare agent that was widely used during the Iran-Iraq conflict(1980-1988). Delayed complications of SM in different organs were evaluated in this study.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed from March 2005 to June 2006. The Veterans Foundation provided us with the files of all chemical warfare-poisoned patients in the province of Fars, Iran. Clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded from their files and a face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was performed by student t test statistical method.


RESULTS
A total of 134 patients were enrolled in the study. The age range of the patients was 32-45 (37.2+/-9) years. SM poisoning was confirmed 19.5+/-1.6 (17-22) years after initial exposure. The duration of exposure in patients was 13.35+/-8.7 (1.5-48) hours. The most common complication was found in the lungs (100%), skin (82.84%), and eyes (77.61%). The most frequent medications used for the treatment of these complications were: bronchodilators, drugs used for dermatological problems, and drugs used for ocular complications. Analytical study showed no association between the age of exposed patients and the severity of toxic complications (p>.05), but there was a significant association between the duration of exposure and the number of complications (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate that respiratory complications generally increase over time. Therefore, follow-up of veterans exposed to SM is recommended. This may lead to early diagnosis of SM complications and help prevent the late manifestations of this toxicity.
Namazi
Soha
S
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. sohanamazi@yahoo.com
Niknahad
Hosein
H
Razmkhah
Hasan
H
D000328:Adult; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014728:Veterans
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas