Body Mass Index in Veterans Exposed to Chemical Warfare Agents with Chronic Bronchiolitis

One of the leading risk factors for various diseases is obesity, a nutritional burden and an independent factor which increases mortality. Patients with chronic bronchiolitis due to mustard gas have low levels of physical activity, owing to respiratory problems, and comorbidities like psychological disorders. The aim of this study was to assess obesity in veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 434 veterans exposed chemical warfare agents, admitted to the chest of clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital during 2006 were studied. Patients were divided into three age groups as follows: 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years. Respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, sleep fragmentation and bloody sputum, pulmonary function and body mass index (BMI) were assessed in subjects. Mean BMI was 26.4±3.9 kg/m2 in patients, 26.3±4.1 kg/m2 in 30-39, 26.3±3.9 kg/m2 in the 40-49, and 27.1±3.9 kg/m2 in 50-59 year olds. In addition, 32.9%, 35.9%, 32.9% and 17.6% of patients had normal weight, and 54.7%, 61.3%, 64.8% and 82.4% were overweight or obese in all patients, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 age groups. BMI was not correlated with the severity of cough, sleep fragmentation, dyspnea, the presence of bloody sputum and respiratory volumes. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in was veterans exposed to chemical warfare agent seems to be higher than in the normal population. Given the importance of obesity, there should be more focus on balancing weight in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases in this regard, such patients will benefit greatly from collaboration between nutritionists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists and psychologists.