GENERAL MORBIDITY AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS EXPOSED TO IONIZING RADIATION

Abstract

Objectives. To conduct a preliminary assessment of general morbidity among healthcare workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation compared with an unexposed control group.

Methods. This cross-sectional observational study included periodic medical examination data collected in 2024–2025 from 189 healthcare workers classified as Category A occupationally exposed workers and 49 healthcare workers not classified as occupationally exposed personnel. Demographic and occupational characteristics and disorders grouped by major organ systems were analyzed.

Results. The most frequent conditions in the exposed group were endocrine (18.5%), cardiovascular (18.0%), and ocular disorders (14.3%). In the control group, endocrine (32.7%), cardiovascular (20.4%), and musculoskeletal disorders (16.3%) were the most frequent. Statistically significant between-group differences were observed for endocrine, nervous system, and musculoskeletal disorders, all of which were more frequent in the control group.

Conclusions. These preliminary findings support continued health surveillance of occupationally exposed personnel and further investigation of the relationship between morbidity and occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.