Key result
Drug-metabolising ability in anaesthetists was significantly slowed by 23% at the end of summer vacation compared to prevacation values, though antipyrine half-lives remained within normal limits.
Why the study?
Does time away from the working environment (summer vacation) affect drug-metabolising ability and liver function in anaesthetists?
Observational (n=10)
Does time away from the working environment (summer vacation) affect drug-metabolising ability and liver function in anaesthetists?
The working environment of anaesthetists appears to induce drug-metabolising enzymes, an effect that reverses during vacation without causing liver damage.
May indicate reversible occupational enzyme induction in anaesthetists without liver injury; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Drug-metabolising ability, i.e. antipyrine half-life, in anaesthetists was significantly slowed (23%) at the end of summer vacation (2-4 weeks), as compared to prevacation values. Despite changes in either direction, the antipyrine half-lives, including four determinations within a year and a half from the ten anaesthetists, were within normal limits. Liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino-transferase, alkaline phosphatase) were also normal. In one anaesthetist the test for anti-HBsAg was positive in 1980, while in the others HBsAg and anti-HBsAg were negative in 1980 and 1981. The inorganic fluoride concentrations of serum and urine (determined four times) were at normal levels. Only in one anaesthetist was there a transient, surprisingly high, serum concentration (7.9 mumol/l), apparently unrelated to work exposure.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rosenberg et al. (1983) reported an observational. Working environment vs. Summer vacation was evaluated on Antipyrine half-life. Drug-metabolising ability in anaesthetists was significantly slowed by 23% at the end of summer vacation compared to prevacation values, though antipyrine half-lives remained within normal limits.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: