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Elevated quantitative vibrotactile threshold among workers previously poisoned with methamidophos and other organophosphate pesticides
Author(s) -
McConnell Rob,
Keifer Matthew,
Rosenstock Linda
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700250303
Subject(s) - methamidophos , medicine , organophosphate , sequela , peripheral neuropathy , polyneuropathy , occupational medicine , toxicology , pesticide , occupational exposure , anesthesia , surgery , emergency medicine , endocrinology , agronomy , biology , diabetes mellitus
To evaluate chronic effects of acute organophosphate pesticide poisoning, quantitatively determined vibrotactile thresholds were measured as an index of peripheral neuropathy among agricultural workers in Nicaragua. Thirty‐six male workers were evaluated between 10 and 34 months after hospitalization for acute organophosphate poisoning and compared to an age‐ and sex‐matched community reference group. Vibrotactile thresholds were measured quantitatively in right and left index fingers and right and left great toes. Study subjects were stratified into three groups: 1) never poisoned; 2) poisoned with organophosphates other than methamidophos, agents which have not been reported to cause peripheral neuropathy; and 3) poisoned with methamidophos, a peripheral neurotoxin. For all digits, there was a statistically significant trend of increasing age‐and height‐adjusted thresholds across these three exposure categories. Over one fourth of patients previously poisoned with methamidophos we studied had abnormal vibrotactile thresholds. These results suggest that previously reported cases of organophosphate‐induced delayed polyneuropathy may represent only the worst disease in a spectrum of impairment, a sequela of exposure that may be much more common than previously thought. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.