Delayed Ocular, Pulmonary, and Cutaneous Complications of Mustards in Patients in the City of Sardasht, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the late ocular, pulmonary, and cutaneous complications of mustards, 19 years after exposure in 600 patients of the city of Sardasht, Iran. In this case study, we evaluated 600 warfare patients aged 19 to 80 years whose mustard gas injury dated back to 19 years before evaluation in Sardasht. Our results showed that 5.2% of our cases were aged 19–20 years, 18.5% were aged 21–30 years, 31.7% were aged 31–40 years, 23.5% were aged 41–50 years, 12.2% were aged 51–60 years, 5.5% were aged 61–70 years, and 3.4% were aged 71–80 years. There were 50.3% male patients in our study, and 83.2% of the patients were married. Primary ocular manifestations were present in 96.2% of the cases, respiratory manifestations in 80.7%, and cutaneous manifestations in 83.8%, with a hospitalization rate of 64.7%. Ophthalmic, respiratory, and dermal medications were administered in 72.8%, 66.7%, and 61.8% of cases, respectively. The degree of ocular complications was mild in 36.7% and moderate in 1%. Respiratory complications were mild in 45% and moderate in 0.8%. Cutaneous complications were mild in 31.3% and moderate in 0.2.%. Late mild respiratory complications were significantly more frequent than ocular and cutaneous complications. In conclusion, late mild pulmonary complications were more frequent than mild ocular and cutaneous complications; however, moderate ocular complications were more frequent than moderate pulmonary and cutaneous complications.

Keywords::

• Mustards
• Late ocular complications
• Late pulmonary complications
• Late cutaneous complications
• Warfare patients
• City of Sardasht, Iran

Acknowledgment

The investigators wish to thank Dr. Masoumeh Jorjani (Research Deputy of Shahid Beheshti University), Dr. Latif Gachkar (Research Manager of Shahid Beheshti University), the members of the research council of Shahid Beheshti University, Health Deputy of Veterans Organization, the head of health network of the city of Sardasht, the head of medical commission and Health Deputy of West Azerbaijan Province. We also appreciate kind cooperation of the people of the city of Sardasht. The investigators also state their gratitude to Ms. Afsaneh Ghanbari and Ms. Paria Ghassemi-Broumand for her great efforts.