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Monitoring the population iodine status is essential for iodine deficiency eradication. This study assessed the average dietary iodine intake and the iodine status of a random sample of the Italian general adult population. The study population included 2378 adults aged 35–79 years (1229 men and 1149 women) from all 20 Italian regions, participating in the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 2008–2012 (OEC/HES), and were examined for iodine intake in the framework of the MINISAL-GIRCSI Programme. Dietary iodine intake was assessed by the measurement of 24 h urinary iodine excretion. The median daily iodine intake of the whole population was lower (96 µg/d, interquartile range 51–165) than the daily adequate iodine intake according to both EFSA and WHO recommendation (150 µg/d), with a significantly lower value among women (85 µg/d) compared with men (111 µg/d). Iodine intake diminished with age and increased with BMI (body mass index) in male but not in female participants, without achieving the adequate intake in any sex, age, or BMI category. In this random sample of Italian general adult population examined in 2008–2012, iodine intake still remained lower than the recommended values despite the implementation of a strategy of iodoprophylaxis based on salt iodization in 2005. These data represent a valuable reference for future monitoring of iodine status in our country.

Since the Italian iodoprophylaxis strategy is based on the use of iodized salt, we assessed the relationship between dietary salt consumption and iodine intake in the Italian adult population. We estimated the relative contribution given by the use of iodized salt and by the iodine introduced by foods to the total iodine intake. The study population included 2219 adults aged 25–79 years (1138 men and 1081 women) from all Italian regions, participating to the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 2008–2012 (OEC/HES), and examined for sodium and iodine intake in the framework of the MINISAL-GIRCSI Programme. Dietary sodium and total iodine intake were assessed by the measurement of 24 h urinary excretion, while the EPIC questionnaire was used to evaluate the iodine intake from food. Sodium and iodine intake were significantly and directly associated, upon accounting for age, sex, and BMI (Spearman rho = 0.298, p &lt, 0.001). The iodine intake increased gradually across quintiles of salt consumption in both men and women (p &lt, 0.001). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adequacy level for iodine intake was met by men, but not women, only in the highest quintile of salt consumption. We estimated that approximately 57% of the iodine intake is derived from food and 43% from salt. Iodized salt contributed 24% of the total salt intake, including both discretionary and non-discretionary salt consumption. In conclusion, in this random sample of the Italian general adult population examined in 2008–2012, the total iodine intake secured by iodized salt and the iodine provision by food was insufficient to meet the EFSA adequate iodine intake.

Objective Mild iodine deficiency was first documented in Campania in the 1990s. We assessed the urinary iodine nutritional status of schoolchildren in Campania before the introduction of legislation for salt iodization and compared the findings with previous results to evaluate to what extent “silent” iodine prophylaxis, which accompanies socioeconomic advances, affects iodine status. Methods We examined 10552 schoolchildren aged 9–13 y from the five Campania provinces. The study was conducted from April 1999 to October 2002. Urinary iodine excretion was measured in morning urine samples with the AutoAnalyzer 3, an automated system based on the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Data were interpreted according to World Health Organization criteria. Results The median urinary iodine excretion level in Campania was less than 100 μμg/L, which indicates insufficient iodine intake. Mild iodine deficiency was identified in all provinces, namely Napoli, Salerno, Caserta, Avellino, and Benevento, with median urinary iodine excretions of 87, 81, 72, 64, and 61 μg/L, respectively. Overall, the analysis of frequency distribution showed values below 50 and 100 μg/L in 32% and 61% of children, respectively. These values were lower than those previously reported for Campania. Conclusion This study confirms that Campania is a mild iodine deficiency area. The decrease in iodine deficiency versus previous studies indicates that silent prophylaxis plays a relevant role in this condition, but it is not sufficient to eradicate it. Our data will serve as a basis for future evaluations of iodine status in Campania.