Lipid profile status in mustard lung patients and its relation to severity of airflow obstruction

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] secondary to sulfur mustard gas poisoning, known as mustard lung, is a major late pulmonary complications in chemical warfare patients. Serious comorbidities like dyslipidemia are frequently encountered in COPD. The aim of this study was to measure the serum lipid profile and evaluate the relation of lipid parameters with the severity of airway obstruction in mustard lung patients

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Materials and Methods: Thirty-six non-smoker mustard lung patients with no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were entered into this cross-sectional study. Control group consisted of 36 healthy non-smoker men were considered in this study. Serum lipid profile was performed in the patients and the controls. Spirometry was done in mustard lung patients

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Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 +/- 6.80 SD years. The mean duration of COPD was 18.50 +/- 7.75 SD years. There were statistically significant differences in mean serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels between patients and controls [P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively].The mean levels of lipid parameters were not statistically significant different among the 4 stages of COPD severity [P>0.05]

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Conclusion: The current study revealed that the serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol are elevated in mustard lung patients compared with the healthy controls. Since lipid profile abnormalities are considered as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especial attention to this matter is recommended in mustard lung patients