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.

Mustard gas toxicity: the acute and chronic pathological effects

“…In a large cohort of MG exposure victims in Sardasht, Iran, Ghassemi‐Broumand et al . (2008) showed that 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.…”

Impact of psychological problems in chemical warfare survivors with severe ophthalmologic complication, a cross sectional study

“…The exposures were confirmed based on the documented previous military history and medical records of participants. Based on the chart of the Iranian Ophthalmic Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs [20], those veterans who were categorized as severe SM induced ocular involvement were invited to participate in this study from all provinces of Iran. Common ocular findings in this group include corneal ischemia, vascular abnormalities, neovascularization, melting, thinning, hyaline deposition, or diffuse corneal opacity [21].…”

Evaluation of the pharmacoeconomics of drugs used for the treatment of long-term complications of sulfur mustard

“…Complaints during chronic phase include itching, burning sensation, photophobia, tearing, decreased vision, dry eye, red eye, ophthalmic pain and foreign body sensation. 19,63,65 An important ocular phenomenon known as delayed-type ulcerative keratitis may happen in some cases. It is characterized by corneal thinning, opacification, neovascularization and epithelial deficiency leading to photophobia, lacrimation, failing vision and late-onset blindness.…”