СHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN THE CLEAN-UP WORKERS OF CHORNOBYL NPP ACCIDENT IN A REMOTE POST6ACCIDENT...

to study the clinical differences in the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the clean-upworkers (CW) of Chornobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) in the remote post-accident period (30 years after the effectof radiation exposure).

120 CW of ChNPP were examined (47 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and 73 patients without bronchopulmonary disease) and 50 patients in the control group (20 patients with COPDand 30 without bronchopulmonary disease). Individually documented radiation exposure doses of CW were (25.2 ± 13.7cSv, (M ± SD)). The study program included clinical examination, functional pulmonary tests, and statistical analysis.

The negative correlation dependence (r = -0,358, p < 0,05) between the 6-minute walk rate and the age ofCOPD patients was established. Negative correlation was observed between the distance at 6-minute walk test, andforced exhalation volume for 1 sec. (FEV1) (l) (r = 0.743; p < 0.05); forced vital capacity (FVC) (l) (r = 0.692;p < 0.05), the ratio of FEV1/FEV6 (r = 0.697; p < 0.05), forced exhalation volume for 6 sec (FEV6) (l) (r = 0.727; p < 0.05),Diffusion Lung Capacity (mmol/min/kPa) (r = 0.754, p <0, 05). A positive correlation was found between the dose ofradiation exposure and the index of intra-thoracic pressure (ITGV) in the CW (r = 0.1494, p <0.05), and the values ofFEV1 and forced expiration flow (FEF75), regardless of the presence of COPD. In the subgroup of patients with COPDCW there was a significantly higher proportion of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathology, whichcorresponded with the higher level of cholesterol compared with the control group ((5.52 ± 1.34) mmol/l and(4.46 ± 1.74) mmol/l, respectively, p < 0.05).

In the CW at the ChNPP, compared with the group of nosological control, there were significantly lowerindicators of the shortness of breath degree and the frequency of exacerbations per year, more pronounced distur-bance of exercise tolerance, higher comorbidity. Dependence of development of COPD on radiation dose and age atthis stage of research was not estimated.