Goitre prevalence and thyroid abnormalities at ultrasonography: a comparative epidemiological study in two regions with slightly different iodine status.
OBJECTIVE: The association between severe iodine deficiency and endemic goitre is well established, but little information is available on the relation between milder degrees of iodine deficiency and goitre prevalence. SUBJECTS: In a comparative epidemiological study performed in two regions in Denmark, we examined 4649 subjects from the general population, women aged 18-65 years and men aged 60-65 years. METHODS: Ultrasonography and palpation of the thyroid was performed in all participants. Iodine excretion was measured in casual urine samples. Previous thyroid disease was detected by questionnaires, personal interviews and tracing of records. RESULTS: The median iodine excretion was 61 microg/l (mild iodine deficiency (ID)) and 45 microg/l (moderate ID) in the two regions. Median thyroid volume at ultrasonography was 11. 9 ml (mild ID) and 13.6 ml (moderate ID), P