Prospective analysis of the physiological changes caused by prolonged use of N95-type masks
Annals of Thoracic Medicine, cilt.18, sa.2, ss.86-89, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2023
- Doi Numarası: 10.4103/atm.atm_429_22
- Dergi Adı: Annals of Thoracic Medicine
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.86-89
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Coronavirus disease-2019, health care, N95 mask, personal protective equipment
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
INTRODUCTION: The clinical and physiological effects of long-duration use of N95-type masks without ventilation valves, on health-care workers during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were evaluated. METHODS: All volunteering personnel working in operating theater or intensive care unit, using nonventilated N95 type respiratory masks, minimum for a 2-h noninterrupted duration were observed. The partial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before wearing the N95 mask and at 1 st and 2 nd h. Volunteers were then questioned for any symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 210 measurements were completed in 42 (24 males and 18 females) eligible volunteers, each having 5 measurements, on different days. The median age was 32.7. Premask, 1 st h, and 2 nd h median values for SpO 2 were 99%, 97%, and 96%, respectively (P < 0.001). The median HR was 75 premask, 79 at 1 sth, and 84/min at 2 nd h (P < 0.001). A significant difference between all three consecutive measurements of HR was achieved. Statistical difference was only reached between premask and other SpO 2 measurements (1 st and 2 nd h). Complaints seen in the group were head ache (36%), shortness of breath (27%), palpitation (18%), and nausea feeling (2%). Two individuals took off their masks to breathe, on 87 th and 105 th min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long duration (>1 h) use of N95-type masks causes a significant reduction in SpO 2 measurements and increase in HR. Despite being an essential personal protective equipment in COVID-19 pandemic, it should be used with short intermittent time periods in health-care providers with known heart disease, pulmonary insufficiency, or psychiatric disorders.