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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Ionizing Radiation | Research article

Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study

Authors: Ning Liu, Yang Peng, Xinguang Zhong, Zheng Ma, Suiping He, Ying Li, Wencui Zhang, Zijun Gong, Zhenjiang Yao

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Numerous studies have concentrated on high-dose radiation exposed accidentally or through therapy, and few involve low-dose occupational exposure, to investigate the correlation between low-dose ionizing radiation and changing hematological parameters among medical workers.

Methods

Using a prospective cohort study design, we collected health examination reports and personal dose monitoring data from medical workers and used Poisson regression and restricted cubic spline models to assess the correlation between changing hematological parameters and cumulative radiation dose and determine the dose-response relationship.

Results

We observed that changing platelet of 1265 medical workers followed up was statistically different among the cumulative dose groups (P = 0.010). Although the linear trend tested was not statistically significant (P_trend = 0.258), the non-linear trend tested was statistically significant (P_non-linear = 0.007). Overall, there was a correlation between changing platelets and cumulative radiation dose (a change of β^a 0.008 × 10⁹/L during biennially after adjusting for gender, age at baseline, service at baseline, occupation, medical level, and smoking habits; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.003,0.014 × 10⁹/L). Moreover, we also found positive first and then negative dose-response relationships between cumulative radiation dose and changing platelets by restricted cubic spline models, while there were negative patterns of the baseline service not less than 10 years (− 0.015 × 10⁹/L, 95% CI = − 0.024, − 0.007 × 10⁹/L) and radiation nurses(− 0.033 × 10⁹/L, 95% CI = − 0.049, − 0.016 × 10⁹/L).

Conclusion

We concluded that although the exposure dose was below the limit, medical workers exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation for a short period of time might have increased first and then decreased platelets, and there was a dose-response relationship between the cumulative radiation dose and platelets changing.

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Title: Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ning Liu
Yang Peng
Xinguang Zhong
Zheng Ma
Suiping He
Ying Li
Wencui Zhang
Zijun Gong
Zhenjiang Yao
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Ionizing Radiation
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-021-00939-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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