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Urinary thioether excretion in nurses at an oncologic department
A Bayhan1, S Burgaz, A E Karakaya
1Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gazi, Hipodrom-Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Nurses handling cytotoxic drugs showed higher urinary thioether excretion. Smoking significantly increased thioether levels in both exposed and control groups, indicating a synergistic risk for smoking nurses.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Cytotoxic drugs are widely used in healthcare settings.
- Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, may be exposed to cytotoxic agents during drug preparation and administration.
- Thioethers are biomarkers of oxidative stress and exposure to certain chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess urinary thioether excretion in nurses handling cytotoxic drugs.
- To compare thioether levels between exposed nurses and a non-exposed control group.
- To investigate the influence of smoking on thioether excretion in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from nurses handling cytotoxic drugs and a control group.
- Urinary thioether levels were quantified using established analytical methods.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare thioether excretion between groups, considering smoking status.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher urinary thioether excretion was observed in nurses exposed to cytotoxic drugs compared to controls (P < 0.05).
- Smokers in both exposed and control groups exhibited significantly higher thioether levels than non-smokers.
- A synergistic effect was noted, with exposed smokers showing higher thioether excretion than control smokers (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs increases urinary thioether excretion in nurses.
- Smoking acts synergistically with cytotoxic drug exposure, elevating thioether levels.
- Protective measures are recommended for all hospital employees, regardless of smoking status, to mitigate risks associated with cytotoxic drug handling.