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Intestinal Epithelial Regeneration in Response to Ionizing Irradiation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Quantifying exposure to diagnostic medical radiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: are we contributing
E Newnham1, E Hawkes, A Surender
1Department of Gastroenterology and Monash University Department of Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Background:
While potential risks of diagnostic medical radiation are acknowledged, actual exposure of patients in routine clinical practice is poorly documented.
Aim:
To quantify such exposure to vulnerable abdominal organs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are already at risk of intestinal cancer.
Methods:
All incidences of exposure to diagnostic medical radiation were documented in a consecutive series of 100 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (62 Crohn's disease, 37 ulcerative colitis, 1 indeterminate colitis) attending a hospital-based clinic. Total effective dose (mSv) was calculated using published tables. Predictors of high or no irradiation were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results:
Thirteen patients had no documented diagnostic irradiation. Twenty-three patients received an effective dose greater than 25 mSv. An at-risk effective dose >50 mSv was received by 11 patients. Dosage was higher in patients with Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis (P = 0.02) and in patients undergoing surgery (P = 0.004). However, no predictive factors for high radiation dosage or for no exposure were identified.
Conclusions:
At-risk irradiation from diagnostic medical radiation is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and might potentially contribute to the elevated risk of intra-abdominal and other cancers. The level of irradiation should be considered in clinical decisions regarding abdominal imaging.
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