title: Prevalence of hyperthyroidism according to type of vegetarian diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vegetarian diets may be associated with low prevalence of autoimmune disease, as observed in rural sub-Saharan Africans. Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. We studied prevalence of hyperthyroidism according to dietary pattern in a population with a high proportion of vegetarians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional prevalence study. The association between diet and prevalence of hyperthyroidism was examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and salt use.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Adventist Health Study-2 conducted in the USA and Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Church members (n 65 981) provided demographic, dietary, lifestyle and medical history data by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of self-reported hyperthyroidism was 0·9 %. Male gender (OR=0·32; 95 % CI 0·26, 0·41) and moderate or high income (OR=0·67; 95 % CI 0·52, 0·88 and OR=0·73; 95 % CI 0·58, 0·91, respectively) protected against hyperthyroidism, while obesity and prevalent CVD were associated with increased risk (OR=1·25; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·54 and OR=1·92; 95 % CI 1·53, 2·42, respectively). Vegan, lacto-ovo and pesco vegetarian diets were associated with lower risk compared with omnivorous diets (OR=0·49; 95 % CI 0·33, OR=0·72, 0·65; 95 % CI 0·53, 0·81 and OR=0·74; 95 % CI 0·56, 1·00, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exclusion of all animal foods was associated with half the prevalence of hyperthyroidism compared with omnivorous diets. Lacto-ovo and pesco vegetarian diets were associated with intermediate protection. Further study of potential mechanisms is warranted.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Health Promotion and Education,School of Public Health,Loma Linda University,24951 N. Circle Drive,Nichol Hall Room 1519,Loma Linda,CA 92354,USA.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonstad
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Health Promotion and Education,School of Public Health,Loma Linda University,24951 N. Circle Drive,Nichol Hall Room 1519,Loma Linda,CA 92354,USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,School of Public Health,Loma Linda University,Loma Linda,CA,USA.
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oda
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Cardiology,School of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,School of Public Health,Loma Linda University,Loma Linda,CA,USA.
authors.forename: Gary E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Thyroid