PREVALENCE OF GOITER IN THE AACHEN COMMUN ITY - ULTRASONIC THYROID VOLUME MEASUREMENTS IN 1336 ADULTS LIVING IN AN IODINE-DEFICIENT AREA

Aim The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of thyroid enlar gement by ultrasonic volume measurements. Results 1336 adults living i n the iodine-deficient area of Aachen, West Germany (760 females, 576 males, mean age: 54.05 +/- 16.09 years) were included in the investiga tion. The ultrasonic examination was carried out in patients who did n ot suffer from thyroid disease at the time of study. Results The thyro id volume was age-dependent and varied from 13.3 +/- 10.4 mi in patien ts < 21 years to 29.9 +/- 24.3 ml in patients > 70 years. The prevalen ce of thyroid enlargement ranged from 14.3% in young people to 51.3% i n the elderly. There was no difference in the volumes of the left and right thyroid lobe. The prevalence of thyroid enlargement was higher i n females compared to males (p < 0.05). Retrosternal thyroid mass was detected in 25 % of all patients > 70 years. Conclusion There is evide nce of a high prevalence of thyroid enlargement in iodine-deficient ar eas.