ABSTRACT
La prevalencia de alteraciones morfológicas palpables tiroideas no supera el 8% en la población adulta. En el Hospital de Clínicas de la Universidad de Buenos Aires se llevó a cabo un programa gratuito para la detección de enfermedades tiroideas, convocándose a sujetos que desconocieran antecedentes tiroideos. Nuestro objetivo fue establecer la frecuencia de patología morfológica palpable tiroidea, en una población seleccionada de pacientes, y comparar dichos resultados con los hallazgos de un programa de detección similar, realizado en el año 2001¹. Adicionalmente, evaluar la prevalencia de alteraciones funcionales y de autoinmunidad tiroidea. Los individuos que concurrieron se dividieron en 3 grupos: Grupo 1 (n = 186) pacientes con antecedentes personales de enfermedad tiroidea conocida (excluidos del análisis); Grupo 2 (n = 184) sujetos con antecedentes familiares, otras enfermedades autoinmunes, o sintomatología que pudiera atribuirse a alteración de la función tiroidea (grupo inducido), y Grupo 3 (n = 288) sujetos que consultaron por mera curiosidad (grupo random). La función y autoinmunidad tiroidea se evaluó en 144 participantes del Grupo 3, citados al azar. En el grupo random, la prevalencia de alteraciones morfológicas tiroideas, detectadas por palpación, fue del 11,09%. Al comparar estos resultados con los obtenidos 12 años atrás en un estudio similar, realizado en nuestro hospital, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (8,7 vs. 11,09%; p = 0,25). En cuanto a la función tiroidea, se halló hipotiroidismo subclínico en el 6,25%, hipertiroidismo subclínico en el 0,7% y autoinmunidad en el 11% de los sujetos evaluados. En conclusión, la prevalencia de alteraciones palpables de la glándula tiroides no cambió en laúltima década. Esta investigación realizada en una población correctamente seleccionada constituye una herramienta útil para referencias futuras como población control en Argentina.
The prevalence of palpable thyroid morphological abnormalities does not exceed 8% in the adult population. A free program was conducted in the Hospital de Clínicas (University of Buenos Aires) for the detection of thyroid diseases, inviting subjects who were unaware of a history of these diseases. The aim was to establish the frequency of goitre in the selected population, as well as to evaluate the prevalence of functional disorders and thyroid autoimmunity, and to compare these results with the findings of a similar study performed in 2001¹. The subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 186) patients with a history of previously known thyroid disorders (excluded subjects); Group 2 (n = 184) subjects with a family history of thyroid disease, other autoimmune diseases, or symptoms that could be attributed to changes in thyroid function (Induced Group), and Group 3 (n = 288) subjects who participated in this program due to mere curiosity (Random Group). Autoimmunity and thyroid function was assessed in 144 randomly selected participants in Group 3. In Group 3, the prevalence of morphological alterations of the thyroid gland was 11.09%. Comparing these results with those obtained 12 years ago in a similar study performed in our hospital, no statistically significant differences were found when the prevalence of morphological thyroid alterations were compared (8.7% vs 11.09%, p=.25). As for thyroid function, subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 6.25%, subclinical hyperthyroidism in 0.7%, and autoimmunity in 11% of subjects evaluated. It was concluded that the prevalence of palpable thyroid abnormalities had not change in the last decade. This study, made in a correctly selected population, is a useful tool for future reference as a control population in Argentina.
ABSTRACT
Serum cortisol measurement is a very useful tool in the biochemical evaluation of adrenocortical function. Since this hormone circulates in blood mainly linked to binding globulins but is also partially free, it can be measured not only in the blood but also in urine, saliva and other biological fluids and tissues. Basal determinations as well as dynamic testing may be performed to evaluate the circadian variations, to estimate the diurnal cortisol secretion and to analyze its relations with other components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Measurements of cortisol in blood, saliva and urine may reflect the cortisol secretion at the time of sample collection or during a 24 h span. Recently, it has been proposed the determination of cortisol in tissues such as hair and nails like a means of evaluating the hormonal status during prolonged periods. The aim of this paper is to update the methodology for measuring cortisol and its usefulness for the clinical diagnosis of troubles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.