ArticleCureus2025
Association of Fluoride Biomarker Levels With Osteoarthritis Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Fluorosis-Endemic Region in India.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Chronic Fluoride Exposure from Brick Tea Consumption Disrupts Bone Remodeling and Contributes to Bone Loss in Chinese Population with Skeletal Fluorosis.Biological trace element research · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability globally. Recent evidence suggests a potential role of environmental fluoride in musculoskeletal degeneration.
objectiveTo evaluate the association between fluoride levels in serum, urine, and drinking water and the severity of OA in adults from a fluorosis-endemic region.
methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 119 adults with radiologically confirmed knee OA from Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, were evaluated. OA severity was graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system. Pain and function were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). Fluoride levels in serum, urine, and household drinking water were measured as biomarkers of systemic and environmental fluoride exposure.
resultsModerate-to-severe OA (KL grades 3-4) was found in 60 (50.4%) participants. Significantly higher serum fluoride levels were observed in this group (p=0.007). The use of untreated underground water was associated with advanced OA (OR: 3.6; CI: 1.3-9.8). Water purification using reverse osmosis systems was associated with better VAS (p=0.02) and KOOS scores (p=0.05).
conclusionHigher fluoride biomarker levels, especially in serum, are significantly associated with greater OA severity. Public health strategies focusing on safe water access and routine fluoride surveillance may mitigate OA burden in endemic areas.
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