| Objective: This study investigated the health effects of Lake Urmia’s drought on adjacent urban and rural
areas and people.
Methods: The data for sociodemographic status, physical activity, dietary pattern, smoking, and angina of
the subjects living in areas adjacent to and far from Lake Urmia were collected through validated
questionnaires. Physical examinations, including blood pressure, anthropometrics, and biochemical
measurements, were performed.
Results: There were no significant differences between 2 areas in the case of age, sex, educational, and
physical activity and smoking status (P > 0.05). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the
prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension, and anemia in cases living in the adjacent areas were
significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed
between 2 districts in the prevalence of hyperlipidemia, overweight/obesity, asthma, angina, infraction,
diabetes, and vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency.
Conclusions: Our data showed that Lake Urmia’s drought has serious effects on hypertension and anemia.
More longitudinal and well-designed studies are needed to confirm these results. |