Evaluation of fatigue in the offspring of population living around Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

Yuliya M. Semenova, A Manatova, Lyudmila M. Pivina, Т И Белихина, Nurlan Aukenov, A Mukysheva, Tamara Zhunussova

2018

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DOI 10.1093/eurpub/cky214.078
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Background: The links between unfavorable environmental situation and fatigue have been investigated in the past decades. As a result of tests carried out on the territory of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, a large amount of population was exposed to radiation. Still, there is no current research on the rates of fatigue among the descendants of irradiated people. Methods: An analysis of the fatigue severity to evaluate asthenic syndrome among descendants of persons exposed to radiation was carried out using a multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI). This indicator was evaluated in the population exposed to radiation on the territories of Abay (n = 233), Borodulikha (n = 222) districts, and control Kurchum district (n = 245) of East Kazakhstan region. 76.9% examined people were exposed in childhood, 23.9% were born from irradiated parents. Average individual dose for the population of Abai district was 7.53 cSv, Borodulikha district – 2.8 cSv; dose of their parents – 96.75 and 26.73 cSv respectively. Results: The rate of activity decrease in the residents of Abay region was equal to 10.098, which indicates a high degree of fatigue. Meanwhile, this rate did not differ significantly between Borodulikha and Kurchum districts (8.184 and 8.158, respectively), which is characteristic of moderate fatigue. It was found out that in all study sites the total fatigue score was significantly higher than 20, which makes it possible to conclude about the presence of asthenization in study population. At the same time, statistically significant differences were observed between Abay and Kurchum districts (p < 0.001), but it was not a matter of fact for Borodulikha district, which did not significantly differ from the control Conclusions: The average fatigue rate in the study groups could be interpreted as moderate that manifested as poor tolerance of physical and mental stress, general weakness, reduced motivation for any kind of activity, fixation on unsatisfactory state of somatic health Key messages: The offspring of population exposed to radiation are prone to increased fatigue rate. To minimize the stressful impact of radiation, it is necessary to provide psychological support to the local population.