The effect of mask usage of the health personnel on blood gas analysis and cognitive strengthening during COVID-19 pandemic | [Journal of Pakistan Medical Association • 2024]

Author(s):

1. Harun Ozmen: Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mersin, Turkiye

2. Serkan Dogru: Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mersin, Turkiye

3. Bahar Aydinli: Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mersin, Turkiye

4. Erdi Huseyin Erdem: Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Mersin, Turkiye

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the effect of lengthy mask use on blood gas values and cognitive functions. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted in February and March 2022 at Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, Mersin, Turkey, and comprised healthcare professionals of either gender aged 20-60 years working in the 3rd level intensive care unit. Each volunteer was subjected to venous blood gas analysis at the beginning and end of the 8-hour morning shift. Coronavirus disease-2019 status was noted, and further data related to cognitive functions was collected using a 7-item questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 63 subjects, 43(68.3%) were women and 20(31.7%) were men. The overall mean age was 33.53±6.76 years. There were 42(66.7%) subjects using N95 mask; 27(64.3%) women and 15(35.7%) men with mean age 32.38±6.54 years. There were 21(33.3%) subjects wearing surgical masks; 16(76.2%) women and 5(23.8%) men with mean age 35.95±0.76 years. Intergroup comparisons were non-significant for all the markers (p>0.05). Within the N95 mask group, potential of hydrogen and lactate values were significantly different (p0.05). Subjects in the N95 mask group had significant impaired cognitive functions compared to the surgical mask group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Impairment in cognitive functions in intensive care unit workers using masks could be explained by the development of intermittent long-term moderate hypoxia.

Page(s): 652-655

DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.9243

Published: Journal: Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Volume: 74, Issue: 4, Year: 2024

Keywords:

carbon dioxide , Coronavirus , Hypoxia , Hypoxia , Masks

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