INTRODUCTION: Chromosomal
mutations are casual events in
neoplasia development.
Biomarker cytogenetic assays can determine exposure to mutagenic agents in occupational settings. This study assessed early
biological marker chromosomal aberrations among
health workers in the chemotheraphy oncology wards/ clinics, exploring its
association to the subjects' occupational, environmental and baseline profile.
METHODS: This was an
IRB approved cross-sectional exploratory study among
hospital personnel working in the
chemotherapy oncology facility of a tertiary
government hospital ,
who underwent structured
interview and
blood extraction for
cytogenetic assay after
informed consent . Study
funds only permitted assay of 44 specimens of 144 planned
sample size , hence, Stata 6.0 only analyzed data from 44 subjects.
RESULTS: All 44 subjects had varying exposure to
chemotherapy drug infusions. Of these, 79% had 1.0 breaks per
cell (hypersensitive). Predominantly
chromatid breaks (CTB),
chromatid gaps (CTG),
sister chromatid exhanges (SCE) were seen. No significant
association was shown between mutagenic
sensitivity and baseline characteristics, but with small
sample size .
CONCLUSION: 21% borderline to hypersensitive mutagenic
sensitivity among oncology
workers at the tertiary
government hospital is relatively significant, despite small
sample size , connoting a must preventive promotive practice of
chemotherapy administration in the
workplace .