Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Aims: Up to now, different reports of the number of injured patients who were exposed chemical agents during Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) were released. This study aimed to investigate epidemiology of Iranian chemical victims according to the data obtained from Veterans and Martyr Affair Foundation (VMAF).

Materials & Methods: The present descriptive study was carried out in March 2015. We extracted the data of the chemically injured veterans have been proved and coded by Medical Commission of VMAF included demographic information and chronic complications of lung, eye and skin lesions due to chemical exposure. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis.

Findings: Of 554990 veterans have been registered in VMAF, exposure to chemical warfare agents were confirmed in 63417 (11.4%) including 62149 (98%) males. The mean age at the time of the study was 51.11±5 years. Until study end, 4884 (7.7%) were died. Disability rate in 34340 (54.1%) of the chemical survivors were less than 25% and 3175 (5.0%) had 50% or more. The total number of chemical injuries registered in the data bank was 151770; 147685 mild (97.3%), 3318 moderate (2.2%) and 767 severe (0.5%). Lungs (39.1%; n=59373), eyes (30.8%; n=46782) and skin (30.1%; n=45615) were the most commonly affected organs in survivors of chemical warfare.

Conclusion: The number of detected Iranian chemical warfare victims has increased up to double over time comparing former studies due to developing late complications over time and improvement of screening system.