Comparing Bone Mineral Densitometry in Mustard Sulfur Gas Exposures ‎and Normal Individuals A Cross – Sectional Study‎

Document Type : Original Research

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Abstract

Introduction. Mustard Sulfur, known as Mustard gas (MSG), which was used during Iran – Iraq ‎war, is responsible for about 1,000,000 chemical injured patients in Iran‏.‏‎ It seems that these ‎patients are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, due to corticosteroids usage as the treatment for ‎chronic complications. ‎ Material and Methods. The study was an analytic Cross-Sectional study, performed on 56 ‎chemical injured, patients exposed to Mustard Sulfur Gas whoeferred to Baghyatollah Hospital ‎and 29 healthy males. A femore and Spine Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) of was performed ‎for the patients using a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technique .The collected data was ‎analyzed using SPSS 13.05. A probability value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. ‎ Results. The diffeoenin femoral and spinal BMD mean values between the patients with a ‎history of MSG exposure and healthy individuals was significant. (p=0.00) The overall ‎quantitative assessment showed 39.5 % osteoporosis, 46.5 % osteopenia and 14% normal BMD ‎in chemical exposed patients. There was a significant relationship between MSG exposure and ‎osteoporosis status (p=0.0). No correlation was detected between Body Mass Index (BMI) and ‎Spinal and/or Femoral BMD indices. (p>0.05)‎ Discussion. There was a significant decrease in spinal and femoral Bone Mineral Density ‎among patients exposed to MSG. The result is noticeable considering the fracture probability ‎which may deteriorate the patient's condition. Prescription of bone protecting agents may be ‎beneficial for these patients.‎
Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 27
March and April 2007
Pages 37-41

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