Prevalence and risk factors of hypothyroidism: Findings from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence and risk fact ors for primary hypothyroidism in a sample of Canadian seniors. The Canadia n Study of health and Aging (CSHA) was a prevalence survey of seniors livin g at home and in long-term care facilities (n = 10,263). Detailed clinical examinations were conducted on 2,914 seniors, of which 1,415 had serum TSH levels measured. The ten Canadian Provinces were grouped into five geograph ic regions (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia). Only seniors who underwent detailed clinical examinations (n = 2,914) are inclu ded. Hypothyroidism was defined as seniors taking thyroid hormone replaceme nt or seniors having a serum TSH level greater than 10 mU/L. An estimated 9 .6 per cent of seniors had hypothyroidism, 5.1 per cent were inadequately t reated and 2.1 per cent were untreated. Age, gender, cultural background, g eographic region and place of residence were potential risk factors for hyp othyroidism. Hypothyroidism was found to be a prevalent problem in this pop ulation.