MENSTRUAL CYCLES IN NURSES HANDLING ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS

Given the association between high-dose antineoplastic drug therapy an d effects on gonadal function, a cross-sectional study was designed to explore the relationship between low-dose occupational exposure to an tineoplastic drugs and menstrual dysfunction. A self-completion questi onnaire survey of the members of two national organizations for nurses was conducted, resulting in a sample of 1,458 female subjects. Subjec ts obtained from the two organizations were compared on major demograp hic and work characteristics and were found to be similar on most fact ors other than occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs. An assoc iation was found between menstrual dysfunction and current handling of cancer drugs in subjects between ages 30 and 45 years [prevalence odd s ratio (OR) = 1.6, confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-1.9]. A logistic re gression analysis demonstrated that subjects ages 30-45 who were curre ntly administering antineoplastic drugs had the highest adjusted OR (3 .4, CI = 1.6-7.3) when compared with subjects with no previous or curr ent handling. Additional risk factors significantly associated with me nstrual irregularity were str ess level of work and the interaction of smoking and stress.