Evaluation of Radiation Dose in Close Proximity to the Patients after Myocardial Perfusion Scan and Related Factors

Background and Aim: We measured radiation emission from the patients undergoing myocardial perfusion scan after leaving nuclear medicine department to demonstrate how much radiation hospital staff or patients’ companions, in the vicinity of the patients would receive. We also evaluated the relationship of age, sex, and body mass index with the emitted radiation rate. Material and Methods: In this study 60 patients (41 females and 19 males) after undergoing 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion scan with a dose of 925±185 MBq, were selected randomly. The equivalent dose rate at distances of 0.25 m, 1 m and 2 m from the patients were measured by a survey meter before leaving nuclear medicine department and after 12 & 24 hours. Data were analyzed by T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA. Results: The mean equivalent dose rates in unit of microsievert per hour at distances of 0.25 m, 1 m and 2 m from the patients were (120.6 ± 24.1, 19.4 ± 3.8, 8.4 ± 1.3) at leaving time, (29.1 ± 8.7, 5.3 ± 1.2, 2.1 ± 0.8) after 12 hours and (4.3 ± 1.5, 0.8 ± 0.6, 0.3 ± 0.1) after 24 hours, respectively. The mean equivalent dose rate showed no relationship with gender and age, but it was inversely correlated with body mass index (P-value <0.05) after 24 hours. Conclusion: People would receive reasonably low radiation if they keep a distance of at least 1 meter from the patients or stay only for a few minutes in the vicinity of the patients. After 24 hours, equivalent dose rate was inversely correlated with body mass index

Effects of multiparity and duration of breast-feeding on maternal bone mineral density in post-menopausal Kurdish women: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is considerable amount of controversy about the long term effects of multiparity and duration of breastfeeding on maternal bone mineral density after menopause. This study was conducted to determine whether multiple pregnancy and prolonged duration of breast-feeding are independent predictors of low bone mass in post-menopausal Kurdish women

A suggested prototype for assessing bone health

Background: Osteoporosis is becoming a health concern worldwide. Considering the fact that prevention, plays an important role in reducing the burden of this-silent disease and in view of the limited resources available, many countries have adopted certain programs to fight osteoporosis through shifting their attention towards at-risk individuals. The Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS) is one of these programs. The program aims to assess bone health and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in different parts of Iran with various altitudes, latitudes and lifestyle habits in a way that the results could be generalized to the country. Method: The present article presents the protocol used in the third phase of the study. It was designed based on the experiences gathered in the previous phases to overcome the shortcomings particularly subject loss. The questionnaire applied in this study was developed based on a thorough literature review of the risk factors and secondary causes of osteoporosis and was approved-by an expert panel. Results: While the majority of the existing studies aim to study a certain aspect of osteoporosis, the present protocol provides the information needed for policy makers and researchers to study different osteoporosis-related issues. Conclusion: The authors believe the protocol, to be implemented with small modifications, can help policymakers in different parts of the world, particularly developing countries, gather accurate information on different aspects of bone health at the national level