July - September 2011, Volume 7, Issue 3

Zhang YK, Liu XG, Zhu WY, Zhou SQ, Wang YK, Zeng F, Hu XF, ZhengXJ, Zhao CY, Yuan HP

Iodine Intake and Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in Different Populations of Zhoushan, China

Acta Endo (Buc) 2011, 7 (3): 345-355
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2011.345

Background. To evaluate iodine status and the prevalence of thyroid disorders in different populations of Zhoushan Island, China.\r\nMethods. A total of 3284 inhabitants of Zhoushan Island were surveyed, including 1389 urban residents, 737 salt workers, 502 peasants, 362 fishermen, and 294 monks from Mount Putuo. All subjects, except for salt workers, consumed iodized salt. A thyroid ultrasound was performed and serum levels of\r\nthyroid hormones and thyroid peroxidase antibody were measured.\r\nResults. The median urinary iodine concentration was significantly higher in subjects who consumed iodized salt than in those who consumed non-iodized salt. No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of thyroid ultrasound abnormalities and functional thyroid disorders between subjects who consumed non-iodized and iodized salt except between salt workers and monks from Mount Putuo. The prevalence of thyroid ultrasound abnormalities differed\r\nsignificantly between males and females and was positively correlated with advanced age (r=0.212, P<0.001).\r\nConclusions. Iodine intake is considered adequate, more than adequate, or excessive amongst the study populations. The\r\nprevalence of both thyroid ultrasound abnormalities and functional thyroid disorders is extremely high in Zhoushan Island. Advanced age and female gender are significant predictors of thyroid ultrasound abnormalities.

Keywords: Goiter; iodine intake; hyperthyroidism; thyroid disorder; universal salt iodization

Correspondence: Xiao-Guang Liu, Joint Laboratory of Immunogenomics, Zhoushan Hospital-Beijing Institute of Genomics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhoushan Hospital, No. 238 North Renmin Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan 316004, Zhejiang Province, China, Tel: 86-0580-2558362 Fax: 86-0580-2558009 E-mail: zyk2008@yeah.net