The epidemiology of thyrotoxicosis in Denmark. Incidence and geographical variation in the Funen region 1972-1974.

In a study based on a review of all thyroid function tests performed in the Funen region in Denmark over a three-year period, from Jan. 1, 1972 to Dec. 31, 1974, the annual incidence rates of thyrotoxicosis were found to be 46.5/100000 for women and 8.7/100 000 for men. In both sexes the age-specific rates rose with age. An analysis of the geographical distribution of the cases showed a significantly lower incidence rate among women from an urban than from rural areas. It is estimated that the life-time risk of developing thyrotoxicosis is 5% for women and 1% for men and that the prevalence rate of existing and previously diagnosed thyrotoxicosis is 1.4% for Danish women and 0.3% for Danish men.