Clinical and Lab Signs of Chronic Lead Poisoning in Devotees with Retained Bullet or Shrapnel Fragments Compared to Control Group

Aims: Retained bullet or shrapnel fragments are suggested as a possible cause of lead poisoning. The present study was designed to assess the problem among devotees of Iran-Iraq war (1981-1988) compared to control group.
In the present case-control study, 30 devotees of Iran-Iraq war (1981-1988) were randomly selected after obtaining informed consent. They were assessed for symptoms and signs and lab finding of lead toxicity included blood lead level, CBC, BUN, creatinine, U/A for phosphate and glucose, FBS, AST, and ALT, compared to controls.
Findings: 30 persons in the case group and 30 persons in the control group were assessed. The mean blood lead level was 10.73±4.73 and 10.01±5.82 microgram per deciliters in case and control group, respectively (P=0.533). The mean serum MCV, creatinine and FBS levels had statistically significant differences between the groups (P-value 0.009, 0.022, and 0.023, respectively). The other variables (hemoglobin, TG, cholesterol, and liver enzymes) had not statistically significant difference between the case and control groups.
Results of the present study was demonstrated that individuals with retained shrapnel or bullet fragments have higher but not statistically significant level of lead in their blood compared to control. However, no clinical or lab findings of lead poisoning were found in them.