An epidemic of hyperthyroidism following salt iodination in Lebanon.
Salt iodination, in Lebanon, started partially in late 1992, and was implemented in a uniform manner by January 1995. Following salt iodination, an epidemic of iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis occurred, as noted by the author, in his private clinic. The number of thyrotoxic patients increased sharply by 2 to 6 folds, and the yearly incidence rose from a baseline of 0.02% up to 0.07%. The younger patients have predominantly Graves' disease (32% of the cases), while 17% have solitary thyroid nodules, and 44% of the cases were elderly subjects with multinodular goiter. The pathogenesis and possible causes of this epidemic are discussed.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007455:Iodine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D007455:Iodine