Iodine Deficiency and Goiter Prevalence of the Adult Population in Erzurum

Abstract

SubjectsThe subjects of the study were chosen among the people who were born in Erzurum and still living there. Study sample was drawn through cluster sampling method. Each 39 Summary: It is believed that total goiter prevalence in Turkey is as high as 30.5%. The iodine deficiency is the distinct etiologic factor in the development of goiter. The aim of this study was to determine goiter prevalence and iodine deficiency in adults living in Erzurum (1659 m above sea level) for at least 10 year. The study involved 340 people (192 females, 148 males). The median age was 38.5 year (ranging from 20 to 76 years). Ultrasound-measured thyroid volume (TV) for men (TV>25 ml) and for women (TV>18 ml) was considered goiter indicator. By this evaluation, goiter was diagnosed in 94 (27.6 %) cases, whereas the goiter prevalence, based on the palpation method, was 5.6%. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured by ammonium persulfate method. UIC in subjects with goiter was significantly lower than that of the others (median values 5.0 vs 7.8 µg/dl, p<0.0001). While the value of UIC≥10 µg/dl (no. 121, 36.6%) was accepted normal, the extent of iodine deficiency in other subjects was classified as severe (UIC<2.0 µg/dl, no.53, 15.6%), moderate (UIC =2.0-4.9 µg/dl, no.75, 22%) and mild (UIC=5.0-9.9 µg/dl, no.91, 26.8%). TV values were found to be significantly different among the four groups (p<0.05). TV values were significantly correlated with body surface area and UIC (r=0.15 and r= -0.16, respectively, p<0.005). Also, the prevalence of thyroid nodules was estimated as 2.1% by palpation and 18% by ultrasonography. We conclude that goiter originating from iodine deficiency has been an important health problem in Erzurum. Besides taking measures at national level, local factors and risks which interfere with the nationwide efforts should also be dealt with for the eradication of the iodine deficiency problem. In the region, periodical evaluation of iodine level and iodine related disorders will guide the measures to be taken for the well being of people's general health.

Interaction of Copper with Iron, Iodine, and Thyroid Hormone Status in Goitrous Patients

“…It is particularly valuable for accurate detection of small goiters in men and women [43]. The reports of understudy patients indicated that thyroid volumes for male and females were higher than normal level [44]. Despite the biochemical evidence of a high risk for Cu, we did not detect any significant relationships between serum Cu and anthropometric status, in hypothyroid patients.…”

Urine Iodine Levels in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women

“…Akarsu et al [9] have reported the prevalence of goiter as 5.6% in Erzurum, a city in Northeastern Anatolia. The frequency of people with UIC lower than 5µg/dL was 37.6% [9], indicating that this region is an endemic region in terms of iodine deficiency [5]. In this region, Dundar reported a 7.2% rate of preeclamptic pregnancies [10].…”

Iodine and Magnesium Levels in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood of Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women

“…Akarsu et al [10] have reported a 5.6% goiter prevalence rate in Erzurum, a city in northeastern Anatolia. The frequency of people with a urinary iodine concentration lower than 5 μg/dl was 37.6% [10], indicating that this is an endemic region in terms of iodine deficiency [11].…”