title: [A study on the value of vitamin C in treating skeletal fluorosis].
abstract: Three hundred and sixteen patients diagnosed as skeletal fluorosis roentgenologically and having no other diseases were divided randomly into 2 groups, matchable in sex distribution, age, functional state and X-ray findings. In the treated group every patient took 200mg vitamin C twice a day, while in the control group placebo tablets. The duration of treatment was 3 months. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by measuring the joint angle and power of gripping and studying the X-ray film and electromyogram. 38 kinds of biochemical parameters were measured simultaneously with a MCA-3 autobiochemical analyser. The results were as follows, (1) The total effective rate in the treated group was 12.84%, chi 2 = 0.556, P > 0.05, so there is no obvious effect in treating skeletal fluorosis with vitamin C. (2) The electromyogram in the treated group showed a recovering rate of 20.00%, chi 2 = 5.9, P > 0.01. It is further shown that there is no effect in treating skeletal fluorosis with vitamin C. (3) 38 kinds of biochemical parameters measured simultaneously and the X-ray findings also showed that vitamin C is not effective. Thus the validity of using vitamin C as the drug of first choice to treat skeletal fluorosis is to be queried.
authors.affiliation: Second Affliated Hospital, Xian Medical University.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shangguan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005458:Fluoride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid