The Assessment as Bone Mineral Density of Bone Damage in Radiology Workers Occupationally Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

We examined the effects of occupational ionizing radiation exposure in radiology workers on bone mineral density and serum alkaline phosphates (ALP) levels. 49 subjects, aged between 21-48 years (33.86 years), working in the department of radiology were enrolled to this study. 26 subjects were female and 23 were male. Control group consisted of 40 healthy subjects aged between 22-49 years (mean 33.83) who had never been exposed to radiation; 21 of these were female and 19 male. Venous blood samples were obtained from the radiology workers and control group and serum alkaline phosphatase levels analysis of samples were performed. The bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed in the spine and the hip with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) instrument. T-scores of radiology workers was lower than control group significantly (P 0.05). T-scores of the men at the control group were higher than the women’s however the case was just the opposite for the work group. In radiology workers exposed to long-term low-dose ionizing radiation has negative effect on bone mineral density and serum ALP levels.