Factors affecting radiation exposure dose in nursing staff during ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated factors associated with increased radiation exposure dose in nursing staff who assisted patients with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) examinations. Methods: The Barthel Index and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score were obtained before PET/CT examinations in 193 patients (mean age ± SD, 77.7 ± 8.0 yr). Three nurses self-measured their radiation exposure dose while assisting patients during each PET examination. Disturbance factors during PET examinations (use of a stretcher or wheelchair, use of lines or tubes connected to the patient, use of diapers or urethral catheterization, patient age), ¹⁸F-FDG injection dose, and previous PET/CT experience in the patients and outpatient or inpatient status were evaluated as factors possibly associated with increased radiation exposure. Principle component analysis, univariate analysis, and multivariate regression analysis were used for assessing associations between radiation exposure dose and factors. Results: The mean radiation exposure dose of the nursing staff was 6.07 ± 5.71 µSv per examination. Statistically significant factors associated with increased radiation exposure (<8 or ≥8 µSv/case) in the univariate analysis were the Barthel Index (<75 or ≥75), MMSE score (<22 or ≥22) of the patients, numbers of lines or tubes to the patient, use of a stretcher or wheelchair, and ¹⁸F-FDG injection dose. Multivariate logistic regression modeling showed that the Barthel Index (<75 or ≥75) and MMSE score (<22 or ≥22) of the patients were significant factors in the final model. Conclusions: Lower Barthel Indexes (lower ADL) and lower MMSE scores (lower cognitive function) were independent factors associated with increased radiation exposure dose in nursing staff assisting during ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.