SERUM HAPTOGLOBIN AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN HUMAN SKELETAL FLUOROSIS

Circulating levels of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein were studied in patients of skeletal fluorosis and compared with two types of contr ols. The first type of control included normal healthy individuals con suming water containing permissible levels of fluoride (up to 1 mg/L). The second type of control included individuals consuming water conta minated with fluoride (1.2-14.5 mg/L) but not exhibiting clinical mani festations of skeletal fluorosis. A significant increase in the levels of haptoglobin (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.01) as well a s a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate were seen in patients of ske letal fluorosis as compared to both types of controls. The present stu dy suggests the possibility of a subclinical inflammatory reaction occ urring in patients with skeletal fluorosis.