Condition of peripheral blood vessels in workers exposed to ionizing radiation

Values of finger temperature and results of capillaroscopic findings of 157 health workers exposed to effects of ionizing radiation are given in this paper. The mean age of the study group was 40.9 years, and the average length of service was 12.6 years. The average temperature of the left hand fingers was 30.30C and that of the right hand fingers was 310C. The temperature of the fingers below 290C was recorded in 60 (38.7%) workers: in 41 (26.5%) on both hands, in 17 (11.1%) on the left hand only and in 2 (1.3%) on the right hand only. According to the capillaroscopy the most frequent finding was capilary spasm in 101 (65,58%), then windings in 94 (61%), smeared contours in 81 (52,6%), stronger colours of the base in 71 (46.1%), etc. Among the subjects with the temperature values of 300C or above or below, capilaroscopy did not reveal any significant difference except for the capillary windings. No difference was found either in respect to the nutritional status, cholesterolemia, any other ailment or alcohol consumption. (author). 6 refs.; 5 tabs