Long-term complications of sulphur mustard poisoning in intoxicated Iranian veterans

Abstract

Introduction: 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