The use of Cox regression in clinical and functional diagnosis of occupational fluorosis
The purpose of the study was to build up a prognostic model for probability of occupational fluorosis development in aluminium industry workers with a shifting duration of workplace exposure to hazardous conditions. Taking into account the results of univariate analysis done earlier with regard to the major occupational exposures and general health indicators in 201 workers, a Cox regression-based prognostic model for probability of occupational fluorosis was built with respect to 15, 20 and 25 years of working experience in harmful conditions. The constructed model was verified by clinical data. The study suggests that, within every time interval of occupational exposure to harmful conditions, a combination of risk factors need to be managed that are strongly associated with occupational fluorosis development within a given time interval.