ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis caused by drinking tea-type endemic fluorosis in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as Yushu Prefecture), Qinghai Province, and provide scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In August 2021, one village was selected as a survey site in six counties (cities) in Yushu Prefecture, including Nangqian, Chindu, Yushu, Zadoi, Qumarlêb, and Zhiduo. Drinking water samples and 10 brick tea samples were collected from each village to determine the fluoride content in water and brick tea; at least 100 permanent residents aged ≥ 25, who had a habit of drinking brick tea and had lived in the local area for more than 5 years, were selected for X-ray imaging to examine the prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis.Results:A total of 75 samples of residential drinking water were collected, with a fluoride content of (0.21 ± 0.05) mg/L, ranging from 0.11 to 0.34 mg/L; 60 samples of brick tea, with a fluoride content of (626.70 ± 157.27) mg/kg, ranging from 324.00 to 2 102.00 mg/kg. A total of 1 136 adults were examined, and 318 cases of skeletal fluorosis were diagnosed, with a detection rate of 27.99%. Among them, the detection rates of mild, moderate, and severe skeletal fluorosis were 20.95% (238/1 136), 6.07% (69/1 136), and 0.97% (11/1 136), respectively, with mild symptoms being the main. The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in males and females were 29.09% (121/416) and 27.36% (197/720), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the gender (χ 2 = 0.39, P = 0.533). Comparison of the skeletal fluorosis in different gender, the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.31, P < 0.001). The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in the age groups of 25 - 35, 36 - 45, 46 - 55, 56 - 65, 66 - 75, and ≥76 years old were 6.86% (7/102), 22.37% (51/228), 24.02% (92/383), 37.44% (73/195), 43.48% (70/161), and 37.31% (25/67), respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (χ 2 = 59.84, P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in the composition of skeletal fluorosis among different age groups ( H = 37.66, P < 0.001). The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the severity of adult skeletal fluorosis was positively correlated with age ( r = 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There is a certain degree of prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis in Yushu Prefecture. And as age increases, the condition of skeletal fluorosis becomes more severe.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the relationship between drinking tea and frailty among the elderly in the community.@*Methods@#A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the basic data of the elderly and their status of drinking tea. Tilburg Frailty Index scale was used to evaluate the frailty of the elderly. The physical levels of the elderly were assessed by grip strength, 4 m walking time and time up & go. The factors affecting frailty of the elderly and the relationship between status of drinking tea and frailty were analyzed.@*Results@#The incidence of frailty in the community with and without habits of drinking tea was 55.6%(69/124) and 79.3%(96/121).There was significantly difference between them (χ2=15.634, P<0.01). The total scores, body function and mental dimensions of frailty of the former were 4.53±2.51, 2.46±1.86 and 1.11±0.97 and that of the later were 5.52±2.54, 3.20±1.78 and 1.36±0.97. There was significantly difference between them (t=3.064, 3.178, 2.015, P<0.05). The grip strength of the former and the latter was (29.06±9.02) kg and (23.96±7.48) kg and there was significantly difference between them (t=-4.824, P<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of complications, the habit of exercise and the habit of drinking tea were the factors influencing frailty.@*Conclusions@#Drinking tea may decrease the incidence of frailty and improve fitness level in the elderly. However, investigative research involving larger number of subjects and intervention studies are needed to explore further the relationship between drinking tea and frailty in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between drinking tea and frailty among the elderly in the community. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the basic data of the elderly and their status of drinking tea. Tilburg Frailty Index scale was used to evaluate the frailty of the elderly. The physical levels of the elderly were assessed by grip strength, 4 m walking time and time up& go. The factors affecting frailty of the elderly and the relationship between status of drinking tea and frailty were analyzed. Results The incidence of frailty in the community with and without habits of drinking tea was 55.6％(69/124) and 79.3％(96/121).There was significantly difference between them (χ2=15.634, P<0.01). The total scores, body function and mental dimensions of frailty of the former were 4.53± 2.51, 2.46±1.86 and 1.11±0.97 and that of the later were 5.52±2.54, 3.20±1.78 and 1.36±0.97. There was significantly difference between them (t=3.064, 3.178, 2.015, P<0.05) . The grip strength of the former and the latter was (29.06 ± 9.02) kg and (23.96 ± 7.48) kg and there was significantly difference between them (t=-4.824, P<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of complications, the habit of exercise and the habit of drinking tea were the factors influencing frailty. Conclusions Drinking tea may decrease the incidence of frailty and improve fitness level in the elderly. However, investigative research involving larger number of subjects and intervention studies are needed to explore further the relationship between drinking tea and frailty in the future.