Persistent Neuropathy and Hyperkeratosis from Distant Arsenic Exposure

The purpose of this case series is to assess long-term sequelae of arsenic exposure in a cohort acutely exposed to arsenic in drinking water from a well dug into a landfill containing arsenical pesticides. Ten of the 13 individuals (or next of kin) in the initial study agreed to participate in the f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of agromedicine 2005, Vol.10 (4), p.43-54
Main Authors: Baker, Beth A., Topliff, Andrew R., Messing, Rita B., Durkin, Deborah, Johnson, Jean Small
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arsenic
Arsenic - adverse effects
Arsenic Poisoning - mortality
Arsenic Poisoning - physiopathology
Cohort Studies
Fatal Outcome
Female
Humans
hyperkeratosis
Male
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction - drug effects
neuropathy
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - pathology
polyneuropathy
Skin Diseases - chemically induced
Skin Diseases - epidemiology
Skin Diseases - pathology
Water Supply
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Summary:The purpose of this case series is to assess long-term sequelae of arsenic exposure in a cohort acutely exposed to arsenic in drinking water from a well dug into a landfill containing arsenical pesticides. Ten of the 13 individuals (or next of kin) in the initial study agreed to participate in the follow-up study. Next of kin provided questionnaire data and released medical information on the three individuals who had died. The remaining seven cohort members were assessed by an interview, questionnaire, detailed physical examination and sensory nerve testing. Available medical records were obtained and reviewed. Sensory testing was performed using an automated electrodiagnostic sensory Nerve Conduction Threshold (sNCT®) evaluation. Sensory complaints and electrodiagnostic findings consistent with polyneuropathy were found in a minority (3/7) of subjects 28 years after an acute toxic arsenic exposure. Two of the seven patients examined (1 of 3 with neuropathic findings) also had hyperkeratotic lesions consistent with arsenic toxicity and one of the patients had hyperpigmentation on their lower extremities possibly consistent with arsenic toxicity.
ISSN:1059-924X
1545-0813
DOI:10.1300/J096v10n04_07