[Spontaneous regression of endemic goitre in South Baden: preliminary report (author's transl)].

A representative cross-section of 3933 persons living in South Baden indicates that the incidence of goitre, both in the native and the immigrant population of this area has markedly decreased between 1963 and 1973, even without iodine prophylaxis. In 1973, euthyroid goitre among native inhabitants was 24.7% (47.0% in 1963). With this reduction was a tendency towards goitre formation amongst females. Despite the lowered incidence of endemic goitre, particularly nodular goitre among the small-holdings farmers, a marked correlation with socio-economic factors and age has remained. However, a levelling out of goitre incidence in farmers and urban population with increasing social and economic betterment has become evident.