Changes in some hematological parameters in radiology unit workers during the Covid-19 pandemic: Retrospective study

Background: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare annual changes (between 2019 and 2022 years) in selected hematological parameters in radiology workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of sixteen radiology unit workers, seven male and nine female, aged 18-40 years, working in Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology in 2019-2022, were included in this retrospective study. The annual changes (between 2019-2022) of the participants in selected hematological parameters such as white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB) and red blood cell (RBC) during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. Results: There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the annual changes in WBC value during the COVID-19 pandemic (F(3, 36)=3.141, p=.037, & eta;p2= .207). It was observed that WBC decreased significantly in 2022 compared to 2021 (p<0.05). Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of the annual changes in the RBC value during the COVID-19 pandemic (F (3, 36)=25.370, p=.000, & eta;p2= .712). It was found that RBC diminished significantly in 2020, 2021, and 2022 compared to 2019. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was detected when comparing the annual changes in HGB value during the COVID-19 pandemic (F(3, 36)=26.794, p=.000, & eta;p2= .691). It was determined that HGB decreased significantly in 2022 compared to 2020 and 2022 compared to 2021 (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is known that radiology workers are exposed to more and more prolonged radiation due to the increase in patient density and the length of their working hours during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Radiation also has harmful acute and chronic effects on human health. In this process, it is seen that exposure to both COVID-19 and Ionizing Radiation (IR) increases the sensitivity of hematological parameters.