Forecasting the course of occupational chronic fl uorine intoxication by means of univariate analysis

Relevance. In contemporary occupational pathology, diagnosis of occupational fluorosis is based on locomotory apparatus disorder such as fluorine osteopathy. Other significant consequences of negative effects of fluorine compounds are deactivation of enzymatic systems, metabolic disorders — that results in pathologic involvement of many organs and systems (hepato-biliary, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal). Topical issue is search of a complex of factors influencing development of the occupational disease, to optimize management of occupational fluorine intoxication risk.

Objective. To determine spectrum of factors that promote development of occupational fl uorine intoxication in workers exposed to inorganic fl uorine compounds, for forecasting the disease outcome and selecting main trends of preventive measures.

Materials and methods. Single-factor analysis methods helped to carry retrospective cohort study of occupational fl uorine intoxication development in 201 workers of aluminum production in Ural region. Th e study covered infl uence of main occupational factors and somatic health parameter s on occupational fl uorosis development.

Results. Findings are reliable infl uence of age (k=0.532, p<0.001), length of service in hazardous work conditions (p<0.001), hydrofl uoride level (p<0.001) and constant magnetic fi eld (p=0.005). Besides that, analysis of immune and metabolic state of the workers revealed signifi cant infl uence of disordered lipid, carbohydrate, purine metabolism, altered immune parameters on occupational fl uorosis development. Other evidence was reliable dependence between concomitant cardiovascular diseases and period of occupational chronic fl uorine intoxication development.

Conclusion. Using single-factor analysis helped to determine wide spectrum of factors associated with the workers’ health state and work conditions, that signifi cantly infl uence development of fl uorine intoxication. Th e authors proved that period of occupational chronic fl uorine intoxication is notably infl uenced by occupational factors (length of service, hydrofl uoride level, fl uorine load degree, magnetic fi eld) and somatic state characteristics as age, parameters of carbohydrate, lipid, purine metabolism, status of cardiovascular, excretory systems, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract functions. 

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