Diagnosis on endemic skeletal fluorosis: clinical vs. X-rays examination

Abstract

Objective To compare the diagnosis results of endemic skeletal fluorosis from clinical and X-rays examinations, in order to provide the foundation for revising clinical diagnostic standard of endemic skeletal fluorosis. Methods The 675 inhabitants aged 16 to 60 years old were retrospectively chosen as subjects in 15 villages drinking un-improved water, where they lived for 10 years or more. Drinking water fluoride were rated as 0.5,1.0, 1.5,2.0,2.2,2.4,3.0,3.5,4.0,6.0,7.0 mg/L levels in Qianan and Nongan County of Jilin Province. The clinical and X-rays results of endemic skeletal fluorosis were analyzed and compared at different drinking water fluoride levels. Results The clinically detectable rates of endemic skeletal fluorosis(21.43%,22.45% ,21.28%, 19.05%, 38.89%) were higher than that of X-rays(0,2.04%,0,4.76%, 12.96%, X2=7.96,9.49,11.19,4.08,9.45, P 0.05). Conclusions The detectable rates of skeletal fluorosis increase with the increased concentration of water fluoride, which is more reliable for clinical examination than for X-rays method. Key words: Osteofluorosis; X-rays; Diagnosis; Drinking; Outcome assessment