Prospective analysis of the physiological changes caused by prolonged use of N95-type masks

• Published in: Annals of thoracic medicine 2023-04, Vol.18 (2), p.86-89
• Main Authors: Demirag, Melis E, Akyil, Mustafa, Karasal, Merve, Bayram, Serkan, Metin, Serda Kanbur, Tokgoz, Fatma A, Baysungur, Volkan, Evman, Serdar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Epidemics; Equipment and supplies; Health aspects; Health care industry; Heart beat; Heart diseases; Masks; Medical personnel; Original; Pandemics; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Pulmonary manifestations of general diseases; Risk factors; Turkey; Volunteerism; Volunteers
• ISSN: 1817-1737; 1998-3557
• DOI: 10.4103/atm.atm_429_22

The clinical and physiological effects of long-duration use of N95-type masks without ventilation valves, on health-care workers during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were evaluated. All volunteering personnel working in operating theater or intensive care unit, using nonventilated N95 type respiratory masks, minimum for a 2-h noninterrupted duration were observed. The partial oxygen saturation (SpO ) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before wearing the N95 mask and at 1 and 2 h. Volunteers were then questioned for any symptoms. A total of 210 measurements were completed in 42 (24 males and 18 females) eligible volunteers, each having 5 measurements, on different days. The median age was 32.7. Premask, 1 h, and 2 h median values for SpO were 99%, 97%, and 96%, respectively ( < 0.001). The median HR was 75 premask, 79 at 1 h, and 84/min at 2 h ( < 0.001). A significant difference between all three consecutive measurements of HR was achieved. Statistical difference was only reached between premask and other SpO measurements (1 and 2 h). Complaints seen in the group were head ache (36%), shortness of breath (27%), palpitation (18%), and nausea feeling (2%). Two individuals took off their masks to breathe, on 87 and 105 min, respectively. Long duration (>1 h) use of N95-type masks causes a significant reduction in SpO measurements and increase in HR. Despite being an essential personal protective equipment in COVID-19 pandemic, it should be used with short intermittent time periods in health-care providers with known heart disease, pulmonary insufficiency, or psychiatric disorders.