Different cutaneous and mucous membrane manifestations of chronic arsenicosis, a study of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Chronic arsenicosis is a serious health problem in Bangladesh now due to the intake of arsenic contaminated groundwater above the safe level of 0.05 mg/L by shallow tube well, throughout the country. About 25 million people of Bangladesh are at risk of chronic arsenic toxicity. Arsenic toxicity is also an alarming situation in many countries of the world. Hence, the study on health hazard of arsenic contamination, its prevalence, presentation, complication, and management is an important one.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate different cutaneous and mucous membrane manifestations of chronic arsenicosis.
Method: The study descriptive was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Chittagong Medical College Hospital. A total 105 patients of clinically diagnosed chronic arsenicosis were selected for the study. Clinical manifestations of chronic arsenicosis patients were analyzed for different mucocutaneous findings.
Result: Evaluation and analysis of findings showed chronic arsenicosis patients had characteristic features of melanosis or leukomelanosis (raindrop pigmentation) in 100% patients. Another characteristic finding of palmoplantar punctate hyperkeratosis was found in 69.5% of patients of chronic arsenicosis. Other mucocutaneous findings of chronic arsenicosis were cutaneous malignancy such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen’s disease. Others cutaneous and systemic diseases were also observed in patients of chronic arsenicosis.
Conclusion: Characteristic mucocutaneous findings of chronic arsenicosis were melanosis, leukomelanosis (raindrop pigmentation), palmoplantar punctate hyperkeratosis, and cutaneous malignancy. As chronic arsenicosis is a serious health problem in our country, it demands more research on chronic arsenicosis.