Physical activity of the civilian chemical victims of Sardasht 20 years after sulfur mustard exposure

Abstract

Sulfur mustard was employed as a chemical warfare agent by the Iraqi forces in the borderline regions of Iran during the Iraq-Iran war (1980–1988). The short- and long-term biological effects of sulfur mustard agent have been studied in both basic and clinical aspects. One organ that was primarily affected was the respiratory system. Among the adults, regular physical activity positively affects the respiratory system as well as the individual’s ability to perform important daily tasks. We investigated the self reported physical activity in chemical victims 20 years after sulfur mustard exposure, compared the data with those of the matched counterparts, and explored any potential association with BMI. The exposed group was 357 and the control group was 125 individuals. Physical activity was measured using the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) that evaluates work, recreational, transport and sitting activities. A significant difference was found between the control and exposed groups in terms of total physical activity MET (metabolic equivalent), total physical activity min/week and total transport-related physical activity min/week in BMI >30 kg/m². In addition, total work-related physical activity showed a significant difference between the control and exposed groups with BMI <25 kg/m². The results show that a significant correlation was present between the increase of body weight and the reduction of total physical activity and MET in exposed group 20 years after sulfur mustard exposure.

Keywords::

• Physical activity
• BMI
• sulfur mustard
• Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study

Acknowledgments

This study was performed by Immunoregulation Research Center of Shahed University, and Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC) and supported by the Iranian Foundation of Martyr and Veterans Affairs and Ministry of Health and Medical Education. We would like to thank all the participants who took part in this study very kindly. We also kindly thank Dr. Mohsin Reza Heidary for his critical reading of this manuscript and helpful comments.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.