[Current situation of goiter endemic and iodine intake in the population of the Pyrenees and the Segrià region of Lleida].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of goiter in five areas of the Pyrineans and in the region of Segrià in Lleida.

DESIGN

Transversal descriptive study.

SETTING

Five Pyrinean's regions and Segrià.

PATIENTS: Randomised selection of a sample of 601 subjects from the population over 6 years old.

MEASUREMENTS: The field work, which was preceded by an informative campaign in the media, was carried out from October of 1994 through February of 1995. Survey with a personal interview, blood pressure, weight, height, goiter palpation, blood analysis with thyroidal hormones and urine analysis with the iodine/creatine ratio determination.

RESULTS

The prevalence of goiter was 18.3% which was higher among women, the ratio being 3.7/1 (women/men). No significant differences were found in regard to geographic distribution. Mean iodinuria was 120 micrograms/l, though it was below 50 in 11.1% subjects. The prevalence of goiter has been founded to be related to age, increasing from the age of 45 onwards. Higher percentage of goiter was found among individuals with a family history of the disease and women who have had children. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 3.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found a medium degree of goiter's endemia in the study area, the mean iodinuria in the population is in normal range. The women with children have a higher prevalence of goiter probably due to a lack of sufficient iodine intake being a subgroup at risk.