ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to explain the methodology of National Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey [TNHS] - 2010. The survey was conducted with the aim of providing the necessary data on nutrition and health to plan and develop related food, nutrition and health policies in Turkey and the study was conducted in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. TNHS sample was designed as a weighted, multi-stage, stratified cluster sample. To stratify the sample, TNHS adopted the stratification approach used in the 2008 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey that allows making estimates nation-wide and for the 5 regions, the 12 NUTS-1 regions, and the 7 metropolitans. Survey provided detailed information on dietary intake, physical examination including clinical and biochemical variables, physical activity status and anthropometric measurements. The survey sample was designed to represent the population of Turkey in age groups of 0-5 and >/= 6 years, the baseline nutrition and health status and blood and urine tests of >/= 6 year-old individuals.
ABSTRACT
Different nutritional and environmental factors are responsible for the pathogenesis of goiter, but iodine deficiency is the most important factor. However, little is known about the natural course of benign thyroid nodules in euthyroid patients over time. Few studies have used ultrasonographic evaluation to address this issue, especially in iodine-deficient areas. In this study, we present the long-term follow-up of benign thyroid nodules in a iodine-deficient area. Cross-sectional study at a tertiary referral center. This study included 62 randomly selected patients with benign euthyroid nodule. Thyroid volume and nodules were measured with sonography. Iodine intake was estimated by patient diet history and by measuring iodine excretion in spot urine samples. Patients were followed one year. Patients were divided into three groups according to level of urine iodine excretion: Group 1: <50 micro g/L [severe iodine deficiency group], Group 2: 50-100 micro g/L [mild iodine deficiency group], Group 3: >100 micro g/L [iodine sufficient group]. The presence of additional disease [hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure and a history of any medication for chronic disorder] and smoking rates were significantly higher in first group compared to the second and third group. Among groups, no significant difference was observed in either right or left thyroid lobe volume after one year. A clinically significant increase in nodule volume was observed in the first group, while there was a significant decrease in the second and third group. In this study, iodine deficiency was associated with an increase in thyroid nodule volumes. Smoking rates were higher in iodine deficient groups. It is thought that smoking impairs iodine intake or absorption consistent with a previous report