Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2016. Vol. 61. No. 3. P. 89-97

N.M. Oganesian, N.R. Davidyan, A.G. Karapetyan, K.V. Asryan, M.I. Mirijanyan, M.G. Shahmuradyan

Epidemiology of Medical Consequences of Chernobyl NPP Accident: 30 Years After

Scientific Center of Radiation Medicine and Burns. Yerevan, Armenia, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The study of the delayed health effects in residents of Armenia, who participated in the liquidation of Chernobyl NPP accident consequences.

Material and Methods: Above 3 000 residents of Armenia took part in liquidation of the Chernobyl accident after-effects. For 30 years the long-term monitoring of the health status in this cohort was carried out in the Scientific Center for Radiation Medicine and Burns (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia) with the help of a comprehensive study of all stages of observation on thee basis of “National Register of Chernobyl” developed in the Center.

Results: It was found that health indicators have worsened in liquidators during the entire observation period. A significant increase in diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, etc. were revealed to be caused by the interaction of radiation and a variety of non-radiation factors. The average number of diagnoses per liquidator in the past years has increased from 1-2 in 1987 to 7-8 during recent years. We revealed the accelerated pace of biological aging and the decline in quality of life indices in liquidators; coefficients are below the average standards both on the scales of physical health, and mental and social well-being.

Conclusions: The results of long-term scientific and medical studies conducted in Armenia are not encouraging and signify that the liquidators of the Chernobyl NPP accident, as before, are in need of special medical and social attention. Issues related to their treatment, psychological and social rehabilitation still remain relevant.

Key words: radiation accident, Chernobyl nuclear power plant, medical consequences, liquidators, quality of life, Armenia

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For citation: Oganesian NM, Davidyan NR, Karapetyan AG, Asryan KV, Mirijanyan MI, Shahmuradyan MG. Epidemiology of Medical Consequences of Chernobyl NPP Accident: 30 Years after. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2016;61(3):89-97. Russian.

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