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Population Health Metrics
Published in: Population Health Metrics 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Monitoring the prevalence of thyroid disorders in the adult population of Northeast Germany

Authors: Rehman Mehmood Khattak, Till Ittermann, Matthias Nauck, Harald Below, Henry Völzke

Published in: Population Health Metrics | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Only a few studies like ours have investigated the effect of long-term stable iodine supply on thyroid disorders in a historically iodine-deficient population, but not with a long follow-up time of 10 years.

Methods

Data were derived from two independent population-based cohorts of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-0 [1997–2001] and SHIP-TREND [2008–2012]) comprising 4308 and 4420 subjects, respectively. Diagnosed thyroid disorders were assessed. Thyroid gland dimensions were examined by ultrasound. Levels of serum thyrotropin (TSH) and autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO Abs) were measured from blood samples.

Results

Median urinary iodine excretion levels decreased from 123.0 μg/l to 112.0 μg/l (p = <0.001) between 2000 and 2010. The prevalence of known thyroid disorders increased from 7.6 % [CI 6.9–8.5] to 18.9 % [CI 17.6–20.1] and of thyroid medication use from 6.2 to 11.1 %. The prevalence of goiter decreased from 35.1 to 29.4 % (p = <0.001), while the prevalence of positive anti-TPO Abs decreased from 3.9 to 2.9 % (p = 0.022). Median serum TSH levels increased from 0.69 mIU/L to 1.19 mIU/L (p = <0.001). Consequently, prevalence of high TSH (mIU/L) increased from 2.6 to 2.9 % (p = 0.452), and low TSH (mIU/L) decreased from 6.6 to 6.4 % (p = 0.737).

Conclusion

The decreased prevalence of iodine-deficient disorders and a stable prevalence of markers of autoimmune thyroid disorders argue for an improved iodine supply of the adult population in Northeast Germany. In contrast, the prevalence of diagnosed thyroid disorders and the intake of thyroid medication increased, although this might be related to inappropriate therapeutic decisions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Monitoring the prevalence of thyroid disorders in the adult population of Northeast Germany
Authors
Rehman Mehmood Khattak
Till Ittermann
Matthias Nauck
Harald Below
Henry Völzke
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Population Health Metrics / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1478-7954
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12963-016-0111-3

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