Prevalence of endemic fluorosis with gastro-intestinal manifestations in people living in some North-Indian villages

Susheela, A. K. ; Kumar, Arbind ; Bhatnagar, Madhu ; Bahudur, Rashmi (1993) Prevalence of endemic fluorosis with gastro-intestinal manifestations in people living in some North-Indian villages Fluoride, 26 (2). pp. 97-104. ISSN 0015-4725

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Abstract

Numerous reports on epidemiological surveys of skeletal and dental fluorosis exist, but information is quite limited on non-skeletal manifestations of fluoride toxicity. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence and severity of non-skeletal manifestations, especially gastrointestinal disturbances, in an area of skeletal and dental fluorosis. The subjects, numbering 1958 inhabitants belonging to 489 families residing in four endemic villages of Faridabad District of Haryana State, were interviewed on health complaints. The information was recorded in a precoded questionnaire. Every drinking water source was analysed for fluoride content. This led to the identification of "safe" (fluoride 1 ppm or less) and "contaminated" (fluoride above 1 ppm) sources of water. Results revealed that among the subjects were people affected with: 1) Dental fluorosis (58%), 2) Skeletal fluorosis (27%), 3) Non-skeletal manifestations (41%) and 4) Gastrointestinal complaints (26%). Those affected were consuming water contaminated with fluoride ranging from 0.25-8.00 ppm. Among the total of 78 sources of water, 20 were "safe" while the remaining 58 were more contaminated with fluoride from natural sources. It is concluded that in an endemic zone, where the inhabitants are consuming water of high floride content, the occurence of gastrointestinal complaints; viz., loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation and intermittant diarrhoea - is one of the early warning signs of flouride toxicity and fluorosis. When water with negligible amounts of flouride (safe water) is provided, the complaints disappear within a fortnight.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to International Society for Fluoride Research.
Keywords:Dental Fluorosis; Endemic Fluorosis; Epidemiology; Faridabad; Harayana (india); Gastrointestinal Disturbances; Non-ulcer Dyspepsia
ID Code:61444
Deposited On:15 Sep 2011 03:28
Last Modified:18 May 2016 11:08

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