An epidemiological, clinical and laboratory survey of goiter in Bay, Laguna

ABSTRACT

Goiter was found to be endemic in Bos. Bitin (upland), Calo (lowland), Dila (lowland) and San Antonio (lakeside) with the following respective prevalence rates 47.5%, 23.8%, 19.5% and 25.9%. On the assumption of a completely randomized sample, the province of Laguna may be considered endemic and Bo. Bitin as a hyperendemic area. Female prevalence exceeded that of the males with a ratio of 1.81 to 51. The peak of prevalence among males fall under the age group 10-19 years while in females it follows a decade later (20-29). For the 4 barrios combined 11.3% of the males were found with Grade I goiter, 2.3 with Grade 2 and 0.2% with Grade 3. The females showed a higher proportion 23.6% with Grade I goiter, 12.2% with Grade 2 and 1.8% with Grade 33.8% of the surveyed households without any identified case of goiter had a familial history of thyroid enlargement as compared to 16.0% of the households with identified cases of goiter. Among the subjects tested for thyroid function, PBI values within the accepted normal range were maintained by a higher proportion of normal males in Bos. Bitin (55.0%), Calo (47.8%), Dila (55.2%) and San Antonio (73.2%) as compared to females (10.7%, 40.7%, 38.6% and 50.9% respectively). Reactors to the TA-Test were noted mostly among normal males in Bos. Dila 15.0%, Calo 37.5% and San Antonio 11.1% and also among normal females in Calo (20.0%). In contrast, a higher proportion of abnormal males and females in Co. Bitin reacted to the test. Normal RAIU values were seen in a greater proportion of normal males in the 3 lowland barros of Calo (61.3%), Dila (55.2%) and San Antonio (73.3%) as compared to normal females (52.5%), 32.6% and 50.9% respectively)The results show that the prevalence of goiter is definitely correlated with the female sex in the reproductive age groups and strongly suggests the possibility of low autoimmune proces which is accentuating the environmental differences of the surveyed population. On the assumption that our sampling is randomized, Bay, Laguna is endemic for goiter and Bo. Bitin is a hyperendemic area. (Summary)