DIFFUSING CAPACITY FOR LUNG CARBON MONOXIDE (DLCO) IN CHEMICAL LUNG INJURIES DUE TO THE USE OF MUSTARD GAS IN THE POISONED SOLDIERS OF IRAN-IRAQ WAR 2006

Objectives: to assess the mustard gas exposure effects on pulmonary system, particularly on diffusing capacity for lung carbon monoxide (dlco) and simple spirometry . methodology: sixty-five sulfur mustard- poisoned soldiers from mostazafan and janbazan organization were referred to our center in 2005. complete history, physical examination, chest x ray, echocardiography, arterial blood gas, high – resolution computerized tomography, diffusion capacity for lung carbon monoxide and spirometry of these were performed and compared this result with normal value. results: the mean value of indices in studied injured subjects was: spirometry: forced expiratory volume in one second (fev1) = 70.4, forced vital capacity (fvc) = 66.5, efe 25-75= 81.1, fev1/fvc=101.9, flow 25% = 28.7, flow 50%= 72.9, flow 75%= 100.1, sample volume: functional residual capacity of lungs (frc) = 131.5, residual volume (rv) = 157.3, rv/tlc= 169.1, total lung capacity (tlc) = 91.3, kco= 131.6, tlco= 116.3. no significant correlation was observed between tlco values with hrct, echocardiography, abg and spirometry values (p>0.05). conclusion: we recommend tlco & rv/tlv tests to assess severity of injuries as there is no a suitable criterion to measure the real consequences of mustard gas on affected combatants. and biological markers are also needed to determine cause- effect relations.