title: [Different methods used to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism, Cadiz, Spain].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypothyroidism (HT) is a common condition in clinical practice. There is a paucity of recent data on its prevalence in Spain, suggesting the need for an updated estimate and therefore the aim of this study was to determine its prevalence in the province of Cádiz.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained data relative to medical prescriptions for group H03AA drugs issued in primary care centers attached to the Andalusian Health Service in the province of Cadiz in 2012. Prevalence was estimated on the basis of the defined daily dose (DDD), the prescribed daily dose (DDP) and treated patient records (TPR). We present the estimated prevalence and odds ratio by gender, with a confidence interval of 95%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of HT in 2012 in the population aged 15 years and over in the province of Cadiz was 1.36% (CI95: 1.33%-1.38%) based on DDD; 2.60% (CI95: 2.54%-2.66%) based on DDP; and 3.10% (CI95: 2.85%-2.93%) based on TPR. Median age was 56 years (IQR: 43 to 68). Prevalence (TPR) by gender was 0.75% in men and 5.36% in women [OR 7.26 (CI95: 7.02-7.52)]. The greatest prevalence, 9.35%, was found in the group of women aged 51 to 70 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of HT in Cadiz is high, mainly affects women. Current prescribing systems allowed us to obtain TPRs, which have been shown to be a more valuable tool than DDDs for estimating HT prevalence.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escribano-Serrano
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paya-Giner
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Méndez Esteban
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Márquez-Ferrando
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarallo-Pérez
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michán-Doña
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones