Avaliação do equilíbrio corporal, metabolismo oxidativo e qualidade de vida de trabalhadores expostos a quimioterápicos

Abstract

The new characteristics of modern life have increased the number and frequency of diseases, among them cancer. With this growth, the number of professionals needed for the care of these patients, and with them the occupational risks, also increases. Chemotherapy is an important form of cancer treatment, while promoting benefits to patients, it also poses risks to health professionals, and can cause damage to the vestibular system. The objective of this research was to evaluate the body balance, oxidative metabolism and quality of life of workers exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs. The research population consisted of workers from the Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria who maintain contact with chemotherapeutic drugs during their work activity of different age groups, without distinction of gender. The Foam-laser Dynamic Posturography, Computerized Vectoeletronystagmography, laboratory tests for oxidative stress analysis, and the WHOQOL-Bref quality of life questionnaire were performed. The present research was carried out at the Otoneurology Outpatient Clinic of the Santa Maria University Hospital, as well as at the Biogenomics Laboratory of the Department of Morphology - Federal University of Santa Maria. Chemotherapy did not show a direct influence on body balance in the evaluation of Computerized Vectoelectronystagmography, whereas in the Dynamic Posturography foam-laser showed significant alteration. Oxidative metabolism evidenced alterations in all the tests performed (DCFH-DA, TBARS assay, and comet assay, protein carbonylation test and DNA fluorimetric assay). The general quality of life presented a good score, with difference between subjects with and without complaint of dizziness, where it was detected that those with dizziness presented worse score, with difference in the physical and psychic domains. It is concluded that the workers exposed to chemotherapy have a discreet alteration of balance, alteration of oxidative metabolism and good general quality of life.