title: Influence of iodization programmes on the epidemiology of nodular goitre.
abstract: Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency can affect human health in different ways, and is commonly referred to as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). These range from defective development of the central nervous system during the fetal-neonatal life, to goitre in the adult. Only a few countries were completely iodine sufficient before 1990. Since then, a major effort has been made to introduce salt iodization to ensure sufficient intake of iodine in deficient areas. Iodine prophylaxis has been shown to exert a pivotal role in abating goitre and other iodine-deficiency disorders, and has also been shown to modulate the pattern of thyroid diseases. An increased frequency of thyroid autoimmunity and of hypothyroidism has been observed after introducing iodization programmes. Nevertheless, available evidence clearly confirms that the benefits of correcting iodine deficiency, consisting mainly of reducing nodular goitre and non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism, far outweigh the risks of iodine supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: e.fiore@ao-pisa.toscana.it.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: mtonacchera@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tonacchera
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.vitti@med.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vitti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine
keywords: goitre; iodine deficiency; iodine prophylaxis