1 - Exercise Physiology Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 - Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Health Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 - Trauma in Police Operations Research Center, Department of Health, Rescue and Treatment of Police Force, Tehran, Iran
Received: May 03, 2021
Accepted: November 18, 2021
Background: Rheumatic disorders are one of the most prevalent human diseases which commonly become chronic and cause different types of disabilities. Chemical veterans may suffer from chronic difficulties caused by rheumatic disorders that can lead to decrease of their quality of life. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rheumatic disorders among Iranian chemical warfare patient’s long-years after sulfur mustard (SM) exposure. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2014 on 245 Iranian chemical veterans. In order to evaluate rheumatic disorders, a special questionnaire for COPCORD studies were filled by veterans and then general and special rheumatology examinations were applied under the supervision of internists and rheumatologists. Data from all questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS software and the results were reported as percentage or mean ±SD. Results: Osteoarthritis (69.9%) was the most common complications diagnosed in these patients. After that back pain (30.5%) and pre-arthritis (27.2) were the other popular complications among veterans. The percentage of frozen shoulder and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome was 13.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Tennis elbow and fibromyalgia (3.7%), rheumatoid arthritis (0.8%) and gouty arthritis with 0.4% were the lowest complications among these patients. Conclusion: Rheumatic associated complications in Iranian chemical injured veterans are higher than the mean of whole community. This data provided the possibility of calculating the disease’s burden and making efficient decisions in the sanitary and treatment systems.
Shakibaee, A., Alishiri, G.H., Ebrahimpour, Z., Shadmanfar, S., Hosseiniara, R., & Bayat, N. (2025). Prevalence of rheumatic disorders in iranian chemical injured patients: a who–ilar copcord study. Romanian Journal of Military Medicine, 125(1), 66-71.
Shakibaee A, Alishiri GH, Ebrahimpour Z, Shadmanfar S, Hosseiniara R, Bayat N. Prevalence of rheumatic disorders in Iranian chemical injured patients: a WHO–ILAR COPCORD study. Rom J Mil Med. 2025;125(1):66-71.
Shakibaee, A., Alishiri, G.H., Ebrahimpour, Z., Shadmanfar, S., Hosseiniara, R. & Bayat, N. 2025, 'Prevalence of rheumatic disorders in Iranian chemical injured patients: a WHO–ILAR COPCORD study', Romanian Journal of Military Medicine, vol. 125, no. 1, pp. 66-71.
