ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation is well known to cause oxidative stress which is responsible for various health hazards. Controlling healthcare workers' exposure and raising attention toward continuous monitoring is the first step for improving both the health of healthcare workers and the quality of patient care, thus decreasing both human and economic costs. OBJECTIVES: To assess oxidative stress by measuring the level of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and measure complete blood count (CBC) among healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at the diagnostic radiology department on 31 healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation and a non-exposed group of 31 healthcare workers from outpatient clinics. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CBC were measured among both groups. RESULTS: MDA was significantly higher among the exposed group, while the level of SOD was significantly lower. Red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly lower among the exposed group. The most significant predictor of oxidative stress was the duration of work. CONCLUSION: Ionizing radiation exposure induce oxidative stress which has an important role in radiation-related health effects. Anemia was the most common hematological health hazards among the exposed group.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to identify the determinants of adherence to medication among Egyptian patients with SLE. A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted among Egyptian patients with SLE. Adherence to medication was measured via The Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology-19, and the patients were classified as non-adherers if they were taking <80% of their medication correctly. Predictors of adherence to SLE medication were determined by multiple logistic regressions. The mean age of participants was 30.9 ± 11.7 years. Females constituted 95% of all participants. Thirty-eight (%) were taking <80% of their medication correctly. On logistic regression analysis, the significant independent predictors of medication non-adherence were lower educational level (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.1-7.3, P < 0.001), very low and low socioeconomic status (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.3, P < 0.04), rural residency (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-5, P < 0.01), more number of medications (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.3-6.9, P < 0.01), and higher depressive symptoms (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4-10.2, P < 0.001). The adherence rate reported in this study was quite low. Appropriate adherence enhancing intervention strategies targeted at reducing pill load, minimizing depressive symptoms, and ensuring an uninterrupted access to free services regimen for patients with low socioeconomic status is strongly recommended. More attention should be given to SLE patients who live in rural regions.
