Long Term Pulmonary Complications of War Related Sulfur Mustard Exposure

Introduction. To determine prevalence of long term pulmonary complications of war related Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposure in logistic forces.Material and Methods. Jahad Sazandegi personnels exposed to SM in war invited for compensation 15- 18 years after exposure from all Iranian provinces. Chest X- ray, HRCT, spirometry and other evaluations was done as required and lung complications was categorized according to arbitrary definitions. Results. Two hundred sixty six persons completed the study. Chest X- ray was normal in 88% and HRCT in 64% there was significant air trapping in 12% of HRCTs. Prevalence of lung complications was: COPD 15% (40), asthma 11.3% (30), Bronchiolitis oblitrans 7.1% (19), simple chronic bronchitis 2.3% (6), lung fibrosis 0.4% (1), non specific dysnea 37.6% (100) and non specific cough 2.3% (5). Several patients not fulfill the definitions and took probable diagnosis. Conclusion. Logistic forces usually exposed to lower doses of SM compared to soldiers. It appears that in low dose SM exposure chronic airway disease like asthma and COPD is more common than large airway destruction as bronchiectasis and paranchymal disease as lung fibrosis.