Concurrent and comorbid diseases among liquidators consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant with cerebrovascular disorders in long after the accident

«Radiation and Risk», 2024, vol. 33, No. 2, pp.145-157

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2024-33-2-145-157

Authors

Kulikova T.A. – Head of Dep., C. Sc., Med. Contacts: 86 Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997. Tel: +7 (916) 197-12-98; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Meshkov N.A. – Chief Researcher, Corresponding Member of RANS, MD, Prof.
Solodkiy V.A. – Director, Academician of RAS, MD, Prof.
Nudnov N.V. – Deputy Director, MD, Prof. RSCRR.
Valtseva E.A. – Chief Specialist, C. Sc., Biol. F.F. Erisman FSCH.
¹ Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology, Moscow
² F.F. Erisman Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, Mytishchi

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to explore the prevalence of concurrent and/or comorbid diseases among liquidators consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP with cerebrovascular disorders occurring long after their exposure to radiation, as well as assess the influence of these diseases on the progression of their primary condition. We studied the morbidity of dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DEP), neurocirculatory asthenia (NCA), hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD) among the liquidators (417 people) according to data provided by the Russian Interdepartmental Expert Council on Establishing Causal Relationship of Diseases, Disability and Death of Citizens Exposed to Radiation Factors of the Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology. The sample was grouped by years of participation in emergency repairs (ER) within the 30-km Chernobyl accident zone (1986-1988) and age of the liquidators when they were first diagnosed with DEP. The difference between the groups was examined using relative risk and 95% confidence intervals. In order to study the cause-and-effect relationships between variables, we used correlation and regression analysis (simple and multiple regres-sion models). Out of DEP stages, the 2nd stage (stage II) was characterized by the highest morbidity rate (p<0.001); out of concurrent diseases, NCA. The study showed a lower morbidity rate of DEP (stage II) and higher morbidity rate of DEP (stage III) for older liquidators who participated in the ER in 1986 and 1987. We found cause-and-effect relationships among the liquidators who participated in the ER in 1986 and 1987 between DEP (stage I) and NCA, between DEP (stage II), NCA, HTN and CAD; also, among the liquidators participating in 1987, between DEP (stage III) and NCA and CAD. Among the liquidators active in 1988, the regression models adequately showed relationships between DEP (stage I) and NCA, HTN and CAD. The identified relationships between DEP, NCA, HTN and CAD reveal the existence of conditions that are comorbid with this disease. Comorbid diseases deteriorate the patient’s condition and result in complications of the primary disorder. Regular health monitoring and proactive comorbidity assessment via advanced neuroimaging techniques help prevent DEP progression and control the influence of the diseases that are comorbid with it.

Key words
liquidators of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, dyscirculatory encephalopa-thy, comorbid diseases, cause-and-effect relationships, radiobiology, radiation, public health.

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