Detection of Subclinical Neuropathies in Some Egyptian Workers Exposed To Lead (Cross-Sectional Study) | ||
| Ain Shams Journal of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology | ||
| Article 7, Volume 27, Issue 2, July 2016, Pages 66-82 PDF (977.8 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ajfm.2016.18321 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Aliaa Hodeib1; Mona Heshmat1; Eman Soliman1; Enas El- Maddah2; Elham Kasem2 | ||
| 1Departments of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. | ||
| 2Departments of Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Chronic lead toxicity is more common and serious for multiple organs. The objective of the present study was designed to detect subclinical neuropathies in Egyptian workers exposed to lead. A cross sectional study was carried out on sixty male Egyptian individuals; fifty workers were chronically occupationally exposed to lead and ten apparently healthy male volunteers not exposed to lead in their occupation served as a control group. All cases were subjected to clinical examination for lead toxicity. Neurological and nerve conduction study were done for both motor and sensory nerves. Estimation of blood and urine lead levels for all participants was done. A laboratory assessment was carried out for evaluation of hemoglobin level, reticulocytic count and basophilic stippling. The result of this study demonstrated elevation of both blood and urine lead levels of all workers. Increased in distal motor latency with slow conduction velocity and decreased amplitude of nerve conduction were observed in the studied nerves of all workers exposed to lead. Also, slow conduction velocity and decreased amplitude were the earliest and most sensitive finding of sensory conduction study of all workers exposed to lead. There were a significant correlation between blood and urine lead level, duration of exposure to lead and different parameters of nerve conduction. The present study concluded that nerve conduction either sensory or motor can give a clear image about chronic lead poisoning even with absence of any clinical findings (sub-clinical neuropathy). This study recommend periodic examination of workers exposed to lead for early detection and after recognition of these affected workers we must advise them improve their hygiene, use personal protective equipments or try to change their work and to notify industrial safety about them. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Lead; nerve conduction; Neuropathy | ||
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