OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features of mild chronic cadmium poisoning induced by different causes.

METHODSA total of 90 patients with mild chronic cadmium poisoning, who were hospitalized in our center from 2008 to 2011 and had complete clinical data, were divided into two groups according to the causes of poisoning: environmental pollution group (n = 45) and occupational poisoning group (n = 45). The clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory indices, and treatment outcomes of all patients were analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with the environmental pollution group, the occupational poisoning group had more bone pain, less bone injury (based on imaging findings), and significantly increased abnormal rate of urinary retinol-binding protein (RBP) (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in urinary β-2 microglobulin (MG) and urinary microalbumin between the two groups (P > 0.05). Urinary cadmium, urinary RBP, and urinary β-2 MG had no linear correlation between each other in the two groups. Both groups showed significant changes in urinary cadmium levels after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical features of mild chronic cadmium poisoning induced by various causes are different, and active nutritional support therapy plays a positive role in improving prognosis.