[Different methods used to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism, Cadiz, Spain]. / Estimación de la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo según diferentes métodos: dosis diaria definida, dosis diaria prescrita y registro de pacientes en tratamiento.

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism (HT) is a common condition in clinical practice. There is a paucity of recent data on its prevalence in Spain, suggesting the need for an updated estimate and therefore the aim of this study was to determine its prevalence in the province of Cádiz. METHODS: We obtained data relative to medical prescriptions for group H03AA drugs issued in primary care centers attached to the Andalusian Health Service in the province of Cadiz in 2012. Prevalence was estimated on the basis of the defined daily dose (DDD), the prescribed daily dose (DDP) and treated patient records (TPR). We present the estimated prevalence and odds ratio by gender, with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: Prevalence of HT in 2012 in the population aged 15 years and over in the province of Cadiz was 1.36% (CI95: 1.33%-1.38%) based on DDD; 2.60% (CI95: 2.54%-2.66%) based on DDP; and 3.10% (CI95: 2.85%-2.93%) based on TPR. Median age was 56 years (IQR: 43 to 68). Prevalence (TPR) by gender was 0.75% in men and 5.36% in women [OR 7.26 (CI95: 7.02-7.52)]. The greatest prevalence, 9.35%, was found in the group of women aged 51 to 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of HT in Cadiz is high, mainly affects women. Current prescribing systems allowed us to obtain TPRs, which have been shown to be a more valuable tool than DDDs for estimating HT prevalence.

Estimación de la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo según diferentes métodos: dosis diaria definida, dosis diaria prescrita y registro de pacientes en tratamiento / Different methods used to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism, Cadiz, Spain

Fundamentos: El hipotiroidismo (HT) es una patología frecuente en la práctica clínica diaria. No existen datos recientes sobre su prevalencia en España. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer su prevalencia en la provincia de Cádiz. Métodos: Se estudió el consumo del grupo terapéutico H03AA realizado en receta oficial por las unidades de Atención Primaria (AP) de Cádiz, durante el año 2012. La prevalencia se estimó mediante tres métodos: la Dosis Diaria Definida (DDD), la Dosis Diaria Prescrita (DDP) y el Registro Pacientes en Tratamiento (RPT). Los resultados se presentaron según sexo y edad con intervalos de confianza del 95%. Resultados: La prevalencia de HT durante 2012 en población mayor de 15 años de la provincia fue del 1,36% (IC95: 1,33%-1,38%) mediante DDD, del 2,60% (IC95: 2,54%-2,66%) mediante DDP y del 3,10% (IC95: 2,85%-2,93%) mediante RPT. La mediana de edad fue de 56 años (rango intercuartílico 43 a 68 años). La prevalencia (RPT) por sexo fue de 0,75% en hombres y 5,36% en mujeres [OR 7,26 (IC95: 7,02-7,52)], siendo del 9,35% la correspondiente a mujeres de 51 a 70 años. Conclusiones: El método de estimación por RPT demuestra ser una herramienta más válida que el método DDD para evaluar la prevalencia de HT. El HT muestra, en nuestra provincia una prevalencia elevada con mayor afectación del sexo femenino (AU)

Background: Hypothyroidism (HT) is a common condition in clinical practice. There is a paucity of recent data on its prevalence in Spain, suggesting the need for an updated estimate and therefore the aim of this study was to determine its prevalence in the province of Cádiz. Methods:We obtained data relative to medical prescriptions for group H03AA drugs issued in primary care centers attached to the Andalusian Health Service in the province of Cadiz in 2012. Prevalence was estimated on the basis of the defined daily dose (DDD), the prescribed daily dose (DDP) and treated patient records (TPR). We present the estimated prevalence and odds ratio by gender, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Prevalence of HT in 2012 in the population aged 15 years and over in the province of Cadiz was 1.36% (CI95: 1.33%-1.38%) based on DDD; 2.60% (CI95: 2.54%-2.66%) based on DDP; and 3.10% (CI95: 2.85%-2.93%) based on TPR. Median age was 56 years (IQR: 43 to 68). Prevalence (TPR) by gender was 0.75% in men and 5.36% in women [OR 7.26 (CI95: 7.02-7.52)]. The greatest prevalence, 9.35%, was found in the group of women aged 51 to 70 years. Conclusions: Prevalence of HT in Cadiz is high, mainly affects women. Current prescribing systems allowed us to obtain TPRs, which have been shown to be a more valuable tool than DDDs for estimating HT prevalence (AU)