Analysis of investigation results of the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2019 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia), and to provide reference for further prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis at this stage.Methods:From March to October 2019, a survey of skeletal fluorosis was carried out in all diseased villages of the eight diseased leagues (cities) in Inner Mongolia, including Alxa, Bayannur, Baotou, Ordos, Hohhot, Hulunbeier, Ulanqab and Xilingol. Permanent residents aged 18 years and above in the diseased villeges were investigated. Face to face questionnaires were used to collect the basic data of age, sex, epidemiological history, etc. of all subjects, and clinical examination of skeletal fluorosis was carried out. Drinking water samples were collected from residents for fluoride content testing.Results:A total of 123 166 residents aged 18 years and above were investigated, 1 781 cases of skeletal fluorosis were detected, and the detection rate was 1.45%. The degree of skeletal fluorosis was mild, accounting for 72.26% (1 287/1 781); the others were moderate and severe, accounting for 20.38% (363/1 781) and 7.36% (131/1 781), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of skeletal fluorosis among people of different water fluoride content, age, gender and regions (χ 2 = 565.96, 671.32, 4.38, 17 283.80, P < 0.05). Among them, the detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in water fluoride content > 4.0 mg/L, ≥56 years old and female population were relatively high, which were 5.21% (49/941), 2.26% (1 428/63 188) and 1.52% (905/59 555), respectively. The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in Xilingol League and Baotou City were significantly higher, 25.48% (745/2 924) and 24.32% (225/925), respectively. Conclusion:The situation of skeletal fluorosis in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Inner Mongolia has been effectively controlled, but there are still relatively many patients with skeletal fluorosis in some areas, and further targeted prevention and control work is needed.