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Iodine status and its association with prevalence of thyroid diseases in adults from Jiangxi Province, China

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Abstract

Background

Iodine is an essential element for the biosynthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Both excessive and deficient iodine are major risk factors for thyroid diseases, including thyroid dysfunction, thyroid nodules, and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI). This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between iodine status and the prevalence of thyroid diseases through a national cross-sectional epidemiological survey in Jiangxi province (China).

Methods

This population-based, cross-sectional study enrolled 2636 Chinese local inhabitants who aged over 18 years old from April to August in 2015. Physical examination was performed and biochemical indices, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and TSH level were measured. The Chi-square test, nonparametric test, and 4 multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for risk factors were applied to analysis. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate the relationship between iodine intake level and the prevalence of thyroid diseases.

Results

The median UIC was 176.4 μg/L, and a significant difference was found in median UIC between men (182.45 μg/L) and women (169.25 μg/L) (P = 0.03). Among these study subjects, 14.4%, 44.5%, 26.1%, and 15.0% had deficient, adequate, more than adequate, and excessive iodine concentrations, respectively. The prevalence rates of hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, and TAI were 0.91%, 0.57%, 0.34% and 7.89%, 9.45%, and 12.7%, respectively. Significant differences were found in iodine status, waist circumstance, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), TSH, thyroid nodules, and TAI between men and women (P < 0.05). Compared with those with adequate UIC, subjects with excessive UIC had higher prevalence rates of thyroid dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.54) and thyroid nodules (OR = 3.33, 95%CI 1.32–8.42). In addition, subjects with deficient and excessive UIC were at the higher risk of TAI compared with those with adequate UIC (OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.19–2.60; OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.04–2.96, respectively). UIC was positively correlated with the prevalence rates of thyroid nodules (r = −0.44, P < 0.01) and TAI (r = −0.055, P < 0.01). On the contrary, UIC was negatively correlated with the risk of thyroid dysfunction (r = −0.24, P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Adult inhabitants from Jiangxi province in the TIDE study were in the adequate iodine status. Excessive iodine status was noted as a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction and thyroid nodules. In addition, both iodine deficiency and excessive iodine were risk factors for TAI.

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Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank professors Weiping Teng and Zhongyan Shan from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, as well as the study subjects who participated in this study.

Funding

This study was supported by the Research Fund for Public Welfare, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (Grant No. 201402005) and the Clinical Research Fund of Chinese Medical Association (Grant No. 15010010589).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Di-en Yan, Lei Hu

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China

    Di-en Yan, Lei Hu, Yun-feng Shen, Xiao-yang Lai, Mei-ying Zhang, Min Zhou, Chao Chen, Mei-mei Liu, Li-ting Wu, Li-qun Liu, Qi-wei Fan, Wen-lan Min, Si-cong Wan, Fang Zou, Jing Li, Xia Cai, Shui-hong Lei, Yan Xiong, Ya Yang, Rong Yu, Wei-wei Gao, Ying Zhang & Ting Chen

  2. Department of Endocrinology, Ji’an Central Hospital, Ji’an, 343000, Jiangxi, China

    Di-en Yan

  3. Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China

    Lei Hu, Yun-feng Shen, Xiao-yang Lai, Mei-ying Zhang, Min Zhou, Chao Chen, Mei-mei Liu, Li-ting Wu, Li-qun Liu, Qi-wei Fan, Wen-lan Min, Si-cong Wan, Fang Zou, Jing Li, Xia Cai, Shui-hong Lei, Yan Xiong, Ya Yang, Rong Yu, Wei-wei Gao, Ying Zhang & Ting Chen

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  1. Di-en Yan
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Correspondence to Yun-feng Shen or Xiao-yang Lai.

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Yan, De., Hu, L., Shen, Yf. et al. Iodine status and its association with prevalence of thyroid diseases in adults from Jiangxi Province, China. Endocrine 82, 335–342 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-023-03413-8

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