Evaluation of the Relationship between Occupational Working Time in Radiology Technicians, Presence of Thyroid Nodules and Hormone Parameters: A Single Center Study

INTRODUCTION: In our study, we evaluated the relationship between the duration of professional work in radiology technicians, the presence of thyroid nodules and hematological parameters.
METHODS: Patients who worked as radiology technicians in our clinic and underwent thyroid ultrasonography in the last 6 months were included in the study. The relationship between the presence of thyroid nodules, thyroid function tests and occupational working time in radiology technicians was statistically analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 70 patients with a mean age of 39.1±8.5 years were included in the study. Regarding the duration of the study, 19 patients were in group 1 (less than 10 years) and 51 patients were in group 2 (10 years or more). The median age of the patients in group 1 was 30 years (26-47) and the median age of the patients in group 2 was 41 years (20-54). Twenty percent (14) were female and 80% (56) were male and there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender (p= 0.893). Thyroid nodules were found in 10.5% of cases in group 1 and 49% of cases in group 2 and this difference was statistically significant between the groups (p= 0.003).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was observed that there was a correlation between the duration of occupational work and the incidence of thyroid nodules in radiology technicians, and we recommend that sensitivity on radiation protection and preventive measures should be increased in the relevant units.