A CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF SERUM FLUORIDE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM

Background: Any disturbance of the hair cycle that results in enhanced, synchronized telogen shedding is the cause of telogen efuvium. it is important to determine the relationship between the level of uoride in the serum and increase hair shedding in people living in uoride endemic areas since excess uoride exposure may be a potential cause of Telogen Efuvium in such patients. Aims & Objectives: To estimate Serum Fluoride levels in patients with Telogen Efuvium. Materials And Methods: Total of 70 patients in the age group of 18-50 years presenting with diffuse hair loss of more than 100 hairs (clinical count) per day for more than 6 months were recruited in the study. All the patients were evaluated for ppm concentrations of Fluoride in their serum using the ion selective electrode [ISE] method. Results: Mean serum uoride was found to be 0.102 ppm in patients who stayed in uoride endemic area higher than mean serum uoride of 0.075 ppm in patients who stayed <5 years which was statistically signicant (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Reduced hair density seen in chronic telogen efuvium may possibly be associated with high serum levels of Fluoride. Appreciating the importance of uoride as a factor in hair loss therefore assessments for telogen efuvium should include an evaluation of serum uoride levels by the treatment provider.