Evaluation of Different Clinico-Radiological Changes In Endemic Fluorosis and Correlation with Duration of Exposure at Nasipur Village of Birbhum District, West Bengal

Background: Chronic fluoride toxicity mainly causes dental and skeletal fluorosis. Aims and Objectives: The study describes the spectrum of clinical and radiological features in 204 patients suffering from endemic fluorosis, residing inNasipur village of Birbhum district of West Bengal. Results and Analysis: The patients mainly belonged to the middle age group ( 41-50 years, 38.24% ), and were mostly males ( male : female – 2.4:1 ) and labourers by occupation ( 51.9% ). Low back pain was the most common ( 97.05% ) and crippling deformity of spine was the least common (14.7% ) complaints. Diminished chest expansion was the most common ( 39.21% ) observation on general survey. The most common abnormality on regional examination was rigidity and stiffness of spine ( 79.41% ). Radiologically, majority of the patients had osteosclerosis ( 94.12% ) while only 2.94% had osteopenic changes. Most patients had moderate skeletal fluorosis ( 49.48% ), who mostly belonged to the middle age-group ( 41-60 years ). The severity of the symptoms were seen to be directly proportional to the duration of exposure to the source. Conclusion: It is necessary to diagnose fluorosis early and differentiate it from mimicking conditions. Keyword:Fluorosis, low back pain, stiffness of spine, osteosclerosis.