Publication

Abstract : Background: Data on thyroid and iodine status in tribal population is scarce. We sought to assess the thyroid and iodine status in this population, by ascertaining the goitre prevalence, thyroid function and thyroid autoimmune markers in adults, and the goitre prevalence and iodine status in school going children from both tribal and non tribal populations Methods: Questionnaire survey and physical examination was done in 50 randomly selected houses from both tribal and nontribal populations. Goitre, thyroid function, thyroid autoimmunity was assessed in 175 adults and goiter and iodine status were assessed in 83 children. Results: Goitre prevalence was similar in tribal and non- tribal adults ( tribal ,45.7% vs. nontribal , 42%,P 0.87) and children (14.9% and 19.4%, P=0.77) . Goitre prevalence was more in adult females . Thyroid dysfunction was seen in 3.9% of tribal and 4.2% of non-tribals. Abnormal thyroid function tests were all in the thyrotoxic range in tribals whereas they were all in the hypothyroid range in non-tribal. Thyroid autoimmunity was more in the non-tribal Compared to tribal population ( 24.7% vs. 10.6% p =0.026). Conclusions: This is the first data on thyroid status in tribal and non-tribal population from Wayanad district, which has shown a high adult prevalence of goitre. However the prevalence of goitre in children is near the national average, which might indicate an improvement in the iodization status in the post iodization era. The higher prevalence of hyperthyroidism in tribals and significant difference in thyroid autoimmunity between tribals and non -tribals merit further study.