[ rate of osteoporosis among asthmatic victims of sulfur mustard gas and comparison with non-chemical asthmatic patients]

Background: Chemical victims who have a history of exposure to sulfur mustard gas comprise considerable number of our young population. To evaluate the rate of osteoporosis in a group of asthmatic victims of sulfur mustard gas and to compare it with non-chemical asthmatic patients, in order to determine the distribution, site of involvement, intensity of effects, and difference or indifference with non-exposed group

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Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 100 asthmatic male patients who had a history of exposure to sulfur mustard gas were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and matched with 100 non-chemical asthmatic male patients as to age, duration of disease, duration of cotrticosteroid therapy, and the form of therapy. Bone Mineral Density [BMD] test was performed on hip and lumbar vertebras in case and control groups evaluated in accordance to WHO criteria. Independent- sample T test was used to analyze the results

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Results: There is a significant difference [p<0.05] between the two groups in the range of osteoporosis and osteopenia. No significant correlation was found between age and complications. Most changes [65%] were observed in the vertebral column, and hip involvement [%5] was much more severe in the case group

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Conclusion: Considering the morbidities caused by this chemical warfare agent, the osteoporotic complications in chemical victims can intensify their disabilities. Therefore, preventive measures must be undertaken to reduce complications