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The Influence of fluoride on chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka.Abstract
Highlights
- Fluoride in drinking water and serum of CKDu patients and healthy controls were evaluated.
- Drinking water fluoride concentration in more than 95% of the samples were below the WHO guideline of 1.5 ppm.
- The serum fluoride concentration of healthy controls was comparable with the levels reported from other healthy populations.
- Data suggests that when renal function decreases fluoride tends to accumulate in the body.
- A health-based target guideline for fluoride in drinking water for the CKDu affected region in Sri Lanka is recommended.
Fluoride is an element that is widely distributed in the environment. The involvement of fluoride in pathogenesis of Chronic Kidney Disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka is a much-debated topic. This study aimed to investigate the fluoride concentration in drinking water in CKDu affected areas in Sri Lanka and to evaluate the possible effect of renal impairment on serum fluoride levels in CKDu patients. Drinking water (n = 60) from the common water sources from two CKDu prevalent areas and serum samples of CKDu patients (n = 311) and healthy controls (n = 276) were collected. Both environmental and biological samples were analysed for the concentration of fluoride. The fluoride concentration in over 95% of drinking water samples was below the WHO guideline of 1.5 mg/L. Serum fluoride concentrations in majority of the unaffected and early-stage CKDu patients (stages 1 and 2, eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73m2) were below the normal upper concentration of 50 ?g/l and significantly higher levels were observed in patients in late stages of CKDu compared to the healthy controls. The available guidelines for drinking water are solely based on healthy populations with normal renal function. But, it is evident that once the kidney function is impaired, patients enter a vicious cycle as fluoride gradually accumulates in the body, further damaging the kidney tissue. Thus, close monitoring of serum fluoride levels in CKDu patients and establishing health-based target guidelines for fluoride in drinking water for the CKDu patients are recommended to impede the progression to end stage renal disease.
*Original abstract online at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653520313795