[Prevalence of goiter and iodine deficiency in Saxony is less than previously assumed. A study 6 years after discontinuation of general iodization of table salt].

BACKGROUND

Germany is a known area of goitre endemicity. In East Germany (former German Democratic Republic), iodization of pre-packed table salt was introduced in 1985 and was only abolished after German reunification in 1990. Public awareness campaigns have concentrated on the use of iodized salt in the products of bakers and butchers as well as canned and frozen food since. Reports in the literature give figures of goitre prevalence (13 to 69%) inconsistent with each other and with our own clinical experience (about 30%).

METHOD

We undertook a prospective cross-sectional study with a non randomly selected population (craftsmen and -women) covering Saxony in 1996, 1,129 and 1,594 adults were examined in 1996 and 1997, respectively, using a questionnaire, ultrasound, and measurement of urinary iodine excretion (1996 only).

RESULTS

We found the following (mean) results in men/women in 1996: thyroid volume 23.0 +/- 1.3/17.1 +/- 1.5 ml, prevalence of goitre 32.1/31.3%, prevalence of thyroid nodules 21.1/23.0%, urinary iodine excretion (per creatinine) 86.4 +/- 1.3/104 +/- 24.1 nmol/mmol (97.1 +/- 1.4/117 +/- 27.1 micrograms/g). In 1997 the results were as follows: thyroid volume 20.9 +/- 1.2/15.7 +/- 2.1 ml, prevalence of goitre 25.6/23.6%, prevalence of thyroid nodules 16.4/19.8%.

CONCLUSION

Whilst goitre and iodine deficiency are still endemic in Saxony, both have been improving despite the abolition of general table salt iodization.