[Thyroid dysfunction and goiter among immigrants from Ethiopia]

Abstract

1131 immigrants from Gonder, Ethiopia were surveyed a year after arrival in Israel. The overall prevalence of goiter was 46.1%; the lowest rates (6.7%) were in infants (aged 1-2 years) and the peak prevalence in males was 56.7% (in those aged 12-14 years) and in females, 77.7% (in those aged 35-40). A significant decrease in goiter prevalence was observed after the age of 60 for both men (7.2%) and women (35%). The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 1.1%, 2% in children and 0.2% in adults. That of hyperthyroidism was 1.7%, 0.8% in children and 2.4% in adults. The high prevalence of goiter and hyperthyroidism with low prevalence of hypothyroidism probably resulted from the combined effects of food goitrogens and iodine deficiency in Ethiopia, with the latter playing only a minor role. Neither factor was in effect after arrival in Israel. Genetic and hormonal factors may contribute to the low prevalence of both goiter and hypothyroidism in the adult males. In view of the high prevalence of hyperthyroidism, iodine enrichment is not recommended for Ethiopian immigrants.