Occupational lead poisoning is a health problem in Iran. Renal and neuropsychiatric complications of occupational lead poisoning are the main concerns for the workers and their employers. It was thus aimed to investigate the renal and neurotoxic effects of lead poisoning in the workers of two traditional-tile-factories. Researchers visited the workers in the factories and collected data by taking direct history and physical examinations in summer of 2005. Data were recorded in previously designed forms. Blood and urine lead concentrations were measured by an atomic absorption technique. A neurologist examined all workers and electrophysiological investigations were undertaken as clinically indicated. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and chi-square, student t test and Pearson correlation tests were used accordingly. The numerical data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and p < 0.05 was considered as the significant level. Overall, 108 male subjects aged 37 ± 7.8 years were studied. Duration of lead exposure was 9.8 ± 6 years. Lead concentration in 2005 was 361.5 ± 176.9 μg/L. The main objective clinical findings were lead line (64.8%), peripheral neuropathy of upper limb (37%), suppression of deep tendon reflexes (DTR) in upper limbs (25.7%), tremor (23.3%), peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs (17%) and abdominal tenderness (15.1%). The subjective findings were mainly on the central nervous system, such as loss of memory (57%), moodiness (56.1%), agitation (47.7%), drowsiness (36.4%), and headache (29.9%). There was no significant correlation between blood lead concentration and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). But there were significant correlations between the blood lead concentrations and urine lead concentration (p < 0.001). This study showed that lead had toxic effects on the teeth (bone), central and peripheral nervous system, more than renal function. Prophylactic and treatment measures were performed.

Background and Objectives: The severity and mortality of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 are positively associated with underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this regard, the current study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized patients with and without CKD. Methods: This cross-sectional matched study was conducted on hospitalized confirmed COVID-19 patients with and without CKD admitted to Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from February 26, 2020 to March 26, 2020. The patients were homogenized in terms of age, gender, body mass index, and underlying diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, and laboratory and radiological findings were collected from patients’ medical records and compared between the patients based on their CKD status. Results: Among the COVID-19 patients, 56 and 97 cases with and without CKD were investigated, respectively. In general, 111 (72.5%) patients with a mean age of 55 years were males. Patients with CKD had higher levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and red cell distribution width (p<0.05). No differences were found regarding chest computed tomography findings, ICU admission, and death among COVID-19 patients with and without CKD. Conclusions: Overall, the findings support the use of red cell distribution width, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine for monitoring the COVID-19 patients with CKD and assessing the risk of disease progression. Eventually, managing comorbidities including hypertension and diabetes will reduce COVID-19 severity in CKD patients.

Background: Among suggested medications for the treatment of COVID-19, chloroquine derivates and angiotensin-converting– enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are the two medications with conflicting effects on the development of the disease. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases receiving chloroquine derivate. Methods: Every patient with proven rheumatologic diseases registered in two referral centers in Tehran and Alborz, Iran was enrolled in the present descriptive cross-sectional study between May and June 2020. At first, the symptoms of COVID-19 were assessed, and if a case had suspicious symptoms, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 tests were done. Demographic and clinical data are documented for every patient. Then, the patients were grouped once according to their COVID-19 infection status and another time according to their hydroxychloroquine use. Results: 1159 patients enrolled in the study with a mean age of 49.39 years. Frequency of hypertension was 22.17 %, diabetics (9.49%) and 20 (1.7%) patients were positive for COVID-19 testing. The most common symptoms of the COVID-19 positive cases were cough (5.2%) and fever (4%). There was no significant difference in receiving ACEIs/ARBs or other medications between COVID-19 positive or negative patients. Among the patients receiving hydroxychloroquine, 15 patients (1.7%) had proved COVID-19 versus 5 patients (1.7%) who were not receiving these medications (P>0.999). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that receiving ARBs or ACEIs was not different among patients with or without COVID-19. Moreover, receiving chloroquine derivate was not related to the development of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatologic disorders.