Dermatology related Quality of Life in Sulfur Mustard exposed Veterans

Introduction: Sulfur mustard -a chemical agent- has proven chronic effects on skin which make many problems such as sleep psychological and also sexual disorders and can reduce their quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the association of quality of life and skin lesions in sulfur mustard exposed veterans..Method: At current study ۱۲۵ consecutive male chemical veterans suffering from skin lesion were being visited by dermatologists in the clinic of the Baqiyatallah hospital during ۲۰۰۷ summer. Pruritus severity in these patients was assessed with pruritus score questionnaire and their quality of life was assessed with Dermatology Life Quality Index. .Results: All subjects were men with mean age ۴۴.۳±۸.۰ years. More than pruritus, skin dryness (۶۴%), burn sensation (۶۳%), scaling (۵۹%) and hyper pigmentation (۵۱%) were more common skin lesions in chemical veterans. Mean of DLQI score in these patients were ۱۹.۴۲ ± ۵.۹۶. Pruritus severity was correlated with quality of life (r = ۰.۳۲۵, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and also correlated with other quality of life subscales expected work and school subscale. Allover pruritus, Burn sensation also related with Quality of life. .Discussion: Sulfur mustard exposed chemical veterans suffering from chronic skin complication such as pruritus and burn sensation witch affected their quality of life. Relieving this skin lesion could improve chemical veterans’ quality of life.

Keywords:

Quality of Life , Pruritus , Sulfur mustard