Disorders of mental and statodynamic functions from the toxic effects of mercury and its compounds in patients aged 18 years and older in the Republic of Mordovia Mordovia for the period 2015–2020

BACKGROUND: The importance of studying the toxic effects of mercury and its compounds in patients aged 18 years and older is due to the continuing high levels of disability and loss of the professional ability to work (PAW). An analysis of the indicators of acute and chronic disability from occupational diseases in the Russian Federation in 2019 showed that there is a high level disability. Among occupational diseases in the Republic of Mordovia, the problem of mercury toxicity remains acute because of the industrial use of mercury or its compounds. The victims often suffer several mental and physical disorders simultaneously, which significantly complicates the process of rehabilitation and habilitation, and the socialization of patients exposed to the toxic effects of mercury and its compounds.

AIM: The aim was to determine the level of mental, neuromuscular, skeletal and movement-related (statodynamic) disorders arising from the toxic effects of mercury and its compounds in different age groups. Additionally, to study the relationship between the degree of loss of PАW because of occupational diseases, and the presence of complications due to concomitant diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of the study were patients aged 18 years and older who lost their PAW because of the toxic effects of mercury and its compounds, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) code: T56.1. A comprehensive study of patients who were newly or previously recognized as disabled was done by the Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise of the Republic of Mordovia. They assessed the degree of impairment of mental and statodynamic function for the period of 2015 to 2020. Data collection and processing, comparative analyses, expert assessment of the level of mental and statodynamic function disorders, and the status of the main and concomitant diseases and their complications was done.

RESULTS: For occupational diseases caused by the toxicity of mercury and its compounds, several assessments were done: the degree of loss of PAW, the need for medical, social and vocational rehabilitation, and classification of the patient as disabled as a result of occupational and general diseases in the presence of concomitant pathology. The percentage loss of PAW was determined: in 24.32% of cases. The percentage PAW loss and proportion of cases was 10% in 20.11% of cases, 20% in 13.41%, 30% in 12.34%, 40% in 1.28%, 50% in 3.85%, 60%, in 2.57%, 70% in 0.14%, and 80%, in 21.96%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The toxic effect of mercury and its compounds caused disorders of mental functions. The minor-to-moderate and pronounced were most often detected, at 72.11%. The proportion of unaffected persons was 21.96%. Impairment of statodynamic function was detected in 2.63% of cases, and cardiovascular system function, 2.07%. There were sensory disorders in 0.71%, endocrine system and metabolic disorders in 0.14%, and blood and immune system abnormalities in 0.36%. The age categories were represented by two groups of persons: with persistent moderate and severe disorders of the body functions; persons from 45 to 59 years old inclusive; who had moderate, severe and significantly pronounced disorders, and the category of 60 year old patients.