Prevalence of Lens Opacity in Interventional Cardiologists and Professional Working in the Hemodynamics in Brazil

Abstract Background: Posterior subcapsular cataract is a tissue reaction commonly found among professionals exposed to ionizing radiation. Objective: To assess the prevalence of cataract in professionals working in hemodynamics in Brazil. Methods: Professionals exposed to ionizing radiation (group 1, G1) underwent slit lamp examination with a biomicroscope for lens examination and compared with non-exposed subjects (group 2, G2). Ophthalmologic findings were described and classified by opacity degree and localization using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Both groups answered a questionnaire on work and health conditions to investigate the presence of risk factors for cataract. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 112 volunteers of G1, mean age of 44.95 (±10.23) years, and 88 volunteers of G2, mean age of 48.07 (±12.18) years were evaluated; 75.2% of G1 and 85.2% of G2 were physicians. Statistical analysis between G1 and G2 showed a prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataract of 13% and 2% in G1 and G2, respectively (0.0081). Considering physicians only, 38% of G1 and 15% of G2 had cataract, with the prevalence of posterior subcapsular cataract of 13% and 3%, respectively (p = 0.0176). Among non-physicians, no difference was found in the prevalence of cataract (by types). Conclusions: Cataract was more prevalent in professionals exposed to ionizing radiation, with posterior subcapsular cataract the most frequent finding.

摘要
背景：后囊下白内障（posterior subcapsular cataract）是暴露于电离辐射（ionizing radiation）的从业者中常见的组织反应。
目的：评估巴西血液动力学领域从业者的白内障患病率。
方法：对暴露于电离辐射的从业者（第1组，G1）采用裂隙灯生物显微镜（slit lamp biomicroscope）进行晶状体检查，并与未暴露人群（第2组，G2）进行对照。眼科检查结果采用晶状体混浊分类系统III（Lens Opacities Classification System III）按混浊程度与病变部位进行描述与分级。两组均填写工作与健康状况调查问卷，以排查白内障相关危险因素的存在情况。本研究设定显著性水平为5% (p < 0.05)。
结果：共纳入G1组112名志愿者，平均年龄为44.95 (±10.23) 岁；G2组88名志愿者，平均年龄为48.07 (±12.18) 岁。其中G1组75.2%、G2组85.2%的受试者为医师。两组间统计分析显示，后囊下白内障患病率在G1组与G2组分别为13%与2% (p=0.0081)。仅针对医师群体进行亚组分析时，G1组38%、G2组15%存在白内障，其中后囊下白内障患病率分别为13%与3% (p=0.0176)。在非医师群体中，各类型白内障的患病率无显著差异。
结论：电离辐射暴露从业者的白内障患病率更高，其中后囊下白内障为最常见的检出类型。