Changes in subjective symptoms and allergy state among medical students exposed to low-level formaldehyde 6?months after completion of a gross anatomy dissection course

摘要

Objectives Our purpose was to clarify whether subjective symptoms of low-level formaldehyde (FA) exposure in medical students were transient or persistent and to investigate whether the allergy state changed as a result of exposure. Methods We surveyed the prevalence of medical students’ subjective symptoms and their allergy state before, during, and 6?months after completion of a gross anatomy dissection course by using two self-administrative questionnaires. Students completed the first survey at the end of the anatomy course to assess symptoms before and during the course. The second survey was completed 6?months after course completion. Results The prevalence of most subjective symptoms was lower 6?months after the course than during the course. The major symptoms experienced during the course were eye fatigue, runny nose, and dry eyes. The most common symptom 6?months after the course was eye fatigue. Four students continued to experience symptoms even after course completion. Three students developed symptoms only after course completion. Forty-eight students had allergies before the course began and the severity of the allergies did not change after the course. Additionally, the prevalence of most subjective symptoms 6?months after the course was lower than before the course. The patterns of subjective symptoms in the three periods differed between male and female students; the prevalence of most subjective symptoms tended to be higher in females. Conclusions Subjective symptoms resulting from FA exposure during a gross anatomy course were transient and did not affect students’ allergy states.