Clinical and Socio Demographic Profile of Arsenicosis Patients in West Bengal. An Observational Study

Background: Various clinical features are reported in arsenicosis cases in different case and cross sectional studies. The current study examines the specificity of these features in arsenicosis cases compared to arsenic exposed and unexposed controls. Methods: A stratified multi-stage design was adopted for selection of participants in two districts of West Bengal. The three cohorts consisted of 108 arsenicosis cases and 100 each of arsenic exposed and unexposed controls. Socio demographic characteristics and clinical features were recorded in field study. Water samples taken by the participants and their urine and hair samples were estimated for arsenic. Results: Mean peak arsenic level in drinking water was 259.53 ± 161.49 μg/L and 259.53 ± 161.49 μg/L (p>0.05) among arsenicosis cases and arsenic exposed controls respectively while it was below detection limit in unexposed controls. There was no difference in arsenic level in urine and hair among the former group. Significantly higher number of arsenicosis cases was found among poor farmers and agricultural laborers. There was no difference in BMI and smoking habit among the three cohorts. Chronic lung Disease was present in 40.74% of arsenicosis cases compared to 8% exposed (p0.001) and 5% unexposed (p<0.001) controls. Peripheral neuritis was observed only in two arsenicosis cases. Further, significant number of these cases had weakness and hypertension compared to controls. Conclusion: Poor people are predominantly affected due to arsenicosis in West Bengal. Skin lesions and chronic lung disease are the major causes of morbidity in these people.