1Department of Internal Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
2Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, Iran
*Corresponding author:: Omid Mehrpour MD, Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138, Iran, Email: omid.mehrpour@yahoo.com.au
Online published on 27 July, 2017.
Lead toxicity is a common health problem worldwide. It is usually occupational but sometime non-occupational toxicities are reported. Opium-related lead toxicity has been reported in recent years. Here we evaluated common clinical findings among oral opium addicts with proven lead toxicity.
We evaluated 17 cases of opium addict male patients (mean age of 49.82±11.52 years) with abdominal pain and anemia visiting Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil, Iran during April and May 2016. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and treatment outcome were studied.
The duration of addiction was 14.58±7.46 years. Mean lead level was 93.36±27.84 μg/dL (48.4144 μg/dL). All patients had anemia, abdominal pain and reduced appetite. Common manifestations were irritability and sleep disturbance (76.5%), fatigue (70.6%), Constipation (64.7%), vomiting (58.8%), abdominal cramp (52.9%) and muscle weakness (29.4%). Basophilic stippling was seen in 11 out of 17 cases. All patients were treated with D-Penicillamine 250 mg three times a day and significant improvement of symptoms was observed during the first week of treatment.
In conclusion, Lead poisoning should be considered in patients with a history of opium abuse who present with abdominal pain and anemia. Proper treatment should be initiated for these patients.
Lead toxicity, Opium, Addiction, Abdominal pain, Treatment
