Iodine prophylaxis, goitre and thyroid autoimmunity in Sri Lanka
Wijeyaratne, C.N.; Jayasinghe, A.; de Silva, D.G.H.; Parkes, A.B.; Lazarus, J.H.; Premawardhana, L.D.K.E.
Ceylon Medical Journal 50(1): 20-23
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-0875 PMID: 15881560 Document Number: 593712
Two studies were conducted, in 1998 and 2001, to evaluate the effects of iodine prophylaxis through iodized salt intake on goitre prevalence and thyroid autoimmunity among school girls aged 11-17 years old in Sri Lanka. Thyroid volume was measured and thyroid autoimmune markers were examined. Results revealed that thyroid volume (7.7+or-3.7 vs. 5.8+or-2.2 ml) and goitre prevalence (age-related: 20.2 vs. 2.9%; body surface area-related: 40.8 vs. 11.6%) were significantly decreased from 1998 to 2001. There were also significant reductions in the prevalence of total thyroid antibodies (49.9 vs. 23.4%) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (40.9 vs. 8.2%), but there was an increase in the prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies alone or in combination with anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (9.0 vs. 15.2%). It is concluded that the National Sri Lankan Salt Iodination Programme is successful in reducing goitre prevalence and modulating thyroid autoantibodies.