Authors: C Marino M Martinelli G Monacelli F Stracci D Stalteri V Mastrandrea E Puxeddu F Santeusanio
Publish Date: 2014/04/09
Volume: 29, Issue: 10, Pages: 869-875
Abstract
Iodine deficiency is still an important health care problem in the world In Italy as in most European countries it is responsible for the development of mild to moderate endemic goiter In 1995 we conducted a goiter survey in the Gubbio township an area of Umbria region in Italy close to the Appenine mountain chain This study demonstrated a high prevalence of goiter in the middle schoolchildren population indicating the presence of moderate endemic goiter Soon after a goiter prevention campaign aimed at implementing the consumption of iodinated salt was started In 2001 a second survey was conducted in the middle schoolchildren age 11–14 yr old of Gubbio and neighbour townships Eight hundred thirteen subjects were studied Data obtained in 240 agematched children studied in the same area in 1995 were used for comparison to monitor changes 5 yr after the beginning of iodine prophylaxis Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography Gland volume was expressed in ml A large population living in a iodinesufficient area previously reported by others was used as control Urinary iodine excretion was measured randomly in 20 of the children The overall prevalence of goiter decreased between 1995 and 2001 from 29 to 8 Goiter odds ratio OR corrected for age was 40 95 CI 28–59 for 1995 compared to 2001 p0000 Mean thyroid volume in the matched populations was 76±25 ml in 1995 and 57±21 ml in 2001 Median iodine urinary excretion increased from 726 to 935 μg/l at the limit of statistical significance Living in a rural area no consumption of iodized salt and familiarity for goiter represented independent risk factors for goiter development This study was the first conducted in Umbria region and confirmed that an implementation campaign for iodized salt consumption is a simple and useful instrument to prevent endemic goiter and related diseases A new survey to evaluate goiter prevalence in the same area 10 yr after the beginning of iodine prophylaxis is already planned
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