Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Article

Comorbid Conditions in Persons Exposed to Ionizing Radiation and Veterans of the Soviet–Afghan War: A Cohort Study in Kazakhstan: Saule Sarkulova, Roza Tatayeva, Dinara Urazalina, Ekaterina Ossadchaya, Venera Rakhmetova; J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(1):55-64. Published online November 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.333

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Objectives
This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid conditions in patients exposed to ionizing radiation and those who were involved in the Soviet–Afghan war.
Methods
This study analyzed the frequency and spectrum of morbidity and comorbidity in patients over a long-term period (30-35 years) following exposure to ionizing radiation at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site or the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and among participants of the Soviet–Afghan war. A cohort study, both prospective and retrospective, was conducted on 675 patients who underwent comprehensive examinations.
Results
Numerical data were analyzed using the Statistica 6 program. The results are presented as the mean±standard deviation, median, and interquartile range (25-75th percentiles). The statistical significance of between-group differences was assessed using the Student t-test and Pearson chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (55.0%) and cardiac ischemia (32.9%); these rates exceeded the average for this age group in the general population.
Conclusions
The cumulative impact of causal occupational, environmental, and ultra-high stress factors in the combat zone in participants of the Soviet–Afghan war, along with common conventional factors, contributed to the formation of a specific comorbidity structure. This necessitates a rational approach to identifying early predictors of cardiovascular events and central nervous system disorders, as well as pathognomonic clinical symptoms in this patient cohort. It also underscores the importance of selecting suitable methods and strategies for implementing treatment and prevention measures.

Summary

Key Message
This study investigated the long-term health effects on 675 individuals exposed to ionizing radiation at Semipalatinsk and Chornobyl, and those involved in the Soviet–Afghan war. Results showed a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, notably hypertension (55%) and cardiac ischemia (32.9%), compared to the general population. The findings highlight the need for early detection of cardiovascular and central nervous system disorders in these groups, emphasizing tailored treatment and prevention strategies.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Global trends in research on Semipalatinsk nuclear testing health effects: A bibliometric analysis and short review
Nailya Chaizhunussova, Lyudmila Pivina, Dariya Shabdarbayeva, Andrey Orekhov, Raushan Dosmagambetova, Galiya Alibayeva, Meruyert Massabayeva, Alexandra Lipikhina, Gulshara Abildinova, Askar Kassymov, Zhanargul Smailova, Rauan Kissina, Diana Ygiyeva, Ernar
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.2025; 290: 107793. CrossRef
Long-Term Consequences of Combat Stress in Afghan War Veterans: Comorbidity of PTSD and Physical and Mental Health Conditions
Ekaterina Ossadchaya, Roza Tatayeva, Zhibek Sembayeva, Akmaral Nursafina, Mira Zhakenova, Gaukhar Slamkhanova
Psychiatry International.2025; 6(4): 141. CrossRef

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