Evaluation of Changes in Blood Factors, Liver Functional Tests, and Thyroid Tests in Radiation Workers in Hospitals in Kurdistan Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Using ionizing radiation in diagnosis and treatment is of great importance. As early diagnosis in some diseases only can be done by using radiation, in treatment phase, radiotherapy is also the main center for healing patients with cancer. Today, one of occupational hazards is ionizing radiation which can cause serious and irreparable damages in radiation workers. This study aimed to count blood cells and evaluate liver enzymes and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in radiation workers in hospitals in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, blood cells, liver enzymes, and TSH levels were compared in 142 radiation staff (cases) and also 142 workers in other sections of hospitals. Matching was done for confounding factors. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software at the significance level of P < 0.05. Findings: Mean number of white blood cells and the level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme in radiation staff were significantly different from that of the control group. But no significant difference was observed between other parameters. Conclusion: It seems that working in radiation wards can change some blood factors but can not predict the recieved dose. In order to increase the safety of radiation workers in radiation wards, monitoring of these individuals should be done annually using cytogenetic methods.

Keywords

• Ionization radiation
• Cytogenetics
• Occult blood
• Dosimeters