title: [Clinical manifestations in patients exposed to an environmental toxic accident (Abidjan, Ivory Coast 2006)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2006, 528 tons of petroleum toxic waste have been released in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) during a major environmental accident. This study was aimed to describe the clinical manifestations provoked by these toxic waste.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have analysed the records of patients admitted to the university hospital of Cocody (Abidjan) following exposure to toxic waste. All the information were recorded on specific files or on notification files created by the physicians of the National Institute of Public Health, the authority charged with the supervision of this exercise. The files were completed by the physician in the course of the examination of the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a period of 3-month-period, 10,598 patients were examined. The clinical manifestations affected all age groups. They were dominated by respiratory symptoms: pulmonary (74.5%) and upper respiratory (31.0%). Pulmonary symptoms included cough (48.8%), chest pain (37.9%), dyspnoea (9.5%) and a few cases of hemoptysis. Digestive symptoms mainly comprised abdominal pain (36.2%), diarrhea (23.0%), abdominal distension (19.9%) and vomiting (9.9%). The other symptoms were neurological, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and gynaecological. More than 96% of patients presented with at least two symptoms. The respiratory symptoms were significantly more frequent in patients over the age of 17 while diarrhea and vomiting were more often found in patients less than 17 years old. Chest pain was significantly more common in men while abdominal pain and vomiting predominated in women (P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical consequences of toxic waste exposure were varied and sometimes serious. A medium- and long-term evaluation of the subjects is required.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Electronic address: kouassiboko@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kouassi
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horo
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godé
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ahui
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kouassi
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Bouaké, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Achi
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Bouaké, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Anon
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koffi
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: N'Gom
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aka-Danguy
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Koffi
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itchy
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koné
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Cocody, BP V13, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manewa
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Atmospheric pollution; Clinical symptoms; Déchets toxiques; Environmental exposure; Exposition environnementale; Pollution atmosphérique; Signes cliniques; Toxic waste