Clinical analysis and follow-up observation of nine cases of occupational chronic fluorosis in an aluminum factory

Abstract

Objective: To observe the clinical characteristics of occupational chronic fluorosis cases and follow up patients＇condition changes after they have been transferred from fluoride work. Methods: In January 2020, the clinical data of occupational chronic fluorosis cases diagnosed in our hospital and their corresponding two-year follow-up data were collected and analyzed. These cases happened in an aluminum factory between January 2010 to January 2020. Results: Nine patients were diagnosed as occupational chronic mild fluorosis because of long bones and joints pain. Skeletal X-ray examination showed a result of skeletal fluorosis and increased urine fluoride. Among the six patients who have been followed up for two years, two of them showed improvements in both symptoms and skeletal X-ray examination results. Three patients＇symptoms were alleviated, but their skeletal X-ray examination results showed no significant change. Besides them, the last patient＇s symptoms and skeletal X-ray examination results were aggravated, which was considered related to still exposed to hydrogen fluoride in new position. Conclusion: Changes of skeletal X-ray examination are the characteristics of occupational chronic fluorosis. By leaving the fluoride position, patients＇clinical symptoms can be alleviated, and their bone lesions are not aggravated or even show a trend of alleviating in some cases.