Pathological damage of thyroidopathy and the prevalence of thyroid diseases in children of the Perm region

Relevance. Thyroid diseases in children and adolescents rank first in the structure of endocrine pathology. An issue related to comparability of data on prevalence obtained with different procedures is vital given the necessity to intensify activities aimed at optimizing prevention of thyroid pathology.The aim. Comparative analysis of pathological lesions of thyropathies and the prevalence of thyroid gland diseases in children and adolescents living in the territory of the Perm region.Materials and methods. Prevalence of thyroid diseases was analyzed based on data taken from Statistic Form No. 12. Pathological damage caused by thyroid diseases was calculated based on results produced by medical examinations that included laboratory tests, ultrasound scanning of the thyroid gland, and a check-up by an endocrinologist. Calculation results were then compared with data taken from statistic reports. Influence exerted by sex and age on the growth in thyrotrophic hormone contents and thyroid gland volume was assessed by analyzing values in one-factor logistic regression models.Results. Prevalence of thyroid diseases, endemic goiter and subclinical hypothyroidism tends to decrease among children living in Perm region (р = 0.003–0.015) but prevalence of thyroiditis remains stable (р = 0.794). Having assessed prevalence among teenagers, we did not reveal any dynamics in prevalence of thyroid diseases and thyroiditis (р = 0.129–0.248); prevalence of endemic goiter went down in this age group (р = 0.008) whereas prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism grew due to iodine deficiency (р = 0.012). The difference between pathological damage and prevalence of thyroid diseases reached 4.8–38.6 times. Having analyzed created logistic models, we were not able to identify sex or age as predictors of thyroid pathology occurrence.Conclusion. Prevalence of thyroid pathology was established to be by 4.8–38.6 times lower than pathological damage. Iodine deficiency on a given territory calls for developing regional medical and prevention programs aimed at diagnosing and preventing thyroid diseases caused by it.