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Iodine status and thyroid nodules in females: a comparison of Cyprus and Romania.
- Source :
-
Public health [Public Health] 2017 Feb; Vol. 143, pp. 37-43. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Nov 25. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Objectives: The increased comparative prevalence rates of thyroid cancer in Cyprus (>EU average) led us to conduct this study on possible risk factors of thyroid nodules. Romania served as a reference with a comparative thyroid cancer prevalence < EU average. This study aimed to assess the association between urinary iodine (UI) and thyroid nodules in adult females (n = 208) from Cyprus and Romania.<br />Study Design: A case-control study (n = 208).<br />Methods: Cases were females with ultrasound-confirmed thyroid nodules and controls with confirmed absence of nodules. In both countries, subjects underwent ultrasound medical examinations, completed a questionnaire and offered a spot urine sample.<br />Results: Median UI level in Cyprus was 94 μg/L, whereas 32% of the Cypriot UI was < 50 μg/L, classifying the population as mildly iodine deficient. In Romania, both cases and controls were iodine sufficient. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in serum free thyroxin (fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were found between cases and controls. Cases had lower median TSH levels compared with controls (1.4 mIU/L and 1.7 mIU/L, P = 0.060), but serum TSH and free thyroxin levels were within normal range. Albeit non-significant, participants with inadequate UI (<100 μg/L) had increased risk for thyroid nodules (odds ratio = 1.40, 95% confidence interval = 0.70, 2.81, P = 0.346), using multiple logistic regression after adjusting for age, body mass index, education, country and serum TSH.<br />Conclusions: This was the first study to quantify UI levels in Cyprus. While the Romanian iodine fortification programme reflected onto its UI levels, a representative assessment of iodine status in Cyprus will address the necessity of an iodine fortification programme.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1476-5616
- Volume :
- 143
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Public health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28159025
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2016.10.027