Prevalence and related risk factors of hypothyroidism in adults of Gansu province / 中华健康管理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hypothyroidism, possible related lifestyle and metabolic risk factors of hypothyroidism in adults of Gansu province, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention of hypothyroidism. Methods Stratified multi-stage cluster sampling with probability proportionate to size method was used to collect data from 10071 residents aged 18 to 79 years and who had lived in the local area for more than 5 years. All participants were asked to fill in the questionnaire, and to take physical examination including anthropometric measurements and venous blood samples. Risk factors of hypothyroidism were analyzed by Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Result The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 10.1％ (overt hypothyroidism 1.5％, subclinical hypothyroidism 8.7％). Female (12.1％) had a higher percentage when compared to male (7.5％). In addition to the increased odds with older age and female gender, current or previous smoking history (OR 0.467, 95％CI 0.289-0.754, P=0.002), salty taste preference (OR0.355, 95％CI0.162-0.776, P=0.022) and a frequent seafood intake (OR0.148, 95％CI0.057-0.385, P<0.001) were tended to be associated with reduced risk of hypothyroidism. Logistic regression analysis showed that positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (OR1.976, 95％CI1.037-3.768, P=0.039), positive thyroglobulin antibodies (OR2.419, 95％CI1.160-5.043, P=0.018) and triglycerides (OR1.241, 95％CI1.044-1.474, P=0.014) were associated with increased risk of hypothyroidism. Conclusion The prevalence of hypothyroidism in Gansu province was high, affecting approximately one in ten adults, and majority of which were SCH. Both lifestyle factors and metabolic factor were associated with hypothyroidism. Developing a healthy lifestyle at work and home, and paying attention to the control of blood lipids are conducive to the prevention of hypothyroidism.