[Prevalence of goiter in the Aachen area. Ultrasound volumetry of the thyroid gland of 1,336 adults in an endemic goiter region].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of thyroid enlargement by ultrasonic volume measurements.


RESULTS
1336 adults living in the iodine-deficient area of Aachen, West Germany (760 females, 576 males, mean age: 54.05 +/- 16.09 years) were included in the investigation. The ultrasonic examination was carried out in patients who did not suffer from thyroid disease at the time of study.


RESULTS
The thyroid volume was age-dependent and varied from 13.3 +/- 10.4 ml in patients < 21 years to 29.9 +/- 24.3 ml in patients > 70 years. The prevalence of thyroid enlargement ranged from 14.3% in young people to 51.3% in the elderly. There was no difference in the volumes of the left and right thyroid lobe. The prevalence of thyroid enlargement was higher in females compared to males (p < 0.05). Retrosternal thyroid mass was detected in 25% of all patients > 70 years.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence of a high prevalence of thyroid enlargement in iodine-deficient areas.
Riehl
J
J
Medizinische Klinik II des Klinikums der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen.
Kierdorf
H
H
Schmitt
H
H
Suiter
T
T
Sieberth
H G
HG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
Strumaprävalenz im Raum Aachen. Sonographische Volumetrie der Schilddrüse bei 1336 Erwachsenen in einem Strumaendemiegebiet.