ABSTRACT
Several studies have shown that goiter is more prevalent in females than in males, although before puberty there is no difference between genders, indicating that sex steroids may play a role in thyroid volume. Iodine deficiency may result in an increase prevalence in goiter prevalence but the difference between genders is not clear. This study is a metaanalysis of studies that have compared goiter prevalence between genders at different ages, with differing iodine status. This is a systematic review and metaanalysis based on Cochrane' criteria. Databases of MEDLINE-EMBASE-Cochrane and Persian databases of Iranmedex- Magiran- SID- Irondoc were searched and all articles on goiter in both sexes goiter were examined were included. A hundred and five studies, with total number of 429252 individuals, age range 1-80 y, were included. Odds ratio of female to male goiter was OR=1.39 [95%CI=1.28-1.51], a ratio higher in longstanding iodine insufficient areas, than in areas of recent iodine sufficiency [1.94 vs. 1.36], the difference in iodine sufficient area being non significant. This ratio for grade 2 of goiter was higher than grade 1[1.78 vs. 1.30], and in persons> 15 years old rose significantly, especially in iodine deficient areas. Goiter is more prevalent in females than in males