Comparison of Liver and Kidney Functions in Operating Room Personnel and Nurses in Yazd Hospitals

Exposure of operating room personnel to some chemicals, including formaldehyde (FA) and inhalational anesthetics can cause liver and kidney damage. This study was performed to assess liver and kidney functions and to determine the FA concentration in the breathing zone of operating room personnel.

In this cross-sectional study that was conducted in Yazd hospitals in 2022, 150 operating room personnel exposed to formaldehyde, and 150 nurses from other departments of the same hospitals (control group) without any history of exposure to formaldehyde, were selected. A questionnaire including demographic information and history of systemic diseases was completed by the participants. 5 cc of fasting blood samples were collected to evaluate liver and kidney functions. FA concentration was determined by the NIOSH 3500 method.

The mean concentration of FA in the breathing zone of operating room personnel was 3.34 ± 2.87 ppm, which was significantly higher than the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of 0.1 ppm proposed by Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as biomarkers of liver damage, and serum creatinine as a biomarker of kidney damage were significantly higher, in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group.

The findings of the present study showed a statistically significant association between high concentration of formaldehyde and high levels of liver enzymes and serum creatinine in the operating room personnel in Yazd hospitals.