Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
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ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2017, vol. 26, nr 3, May-June, p. 497–503

doi: 10.17219/acem/60862

Publication type: original article

Language: English

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Trends in the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in the leading private health-care provider in Poland

Paweł Jóźków1,A-,D,E,F, Felicja Lwow2,E,F, Małgorzata Słowińska-Lisowska3,E,F, Marek Mędraś4,5,E,F

1 Division of Sports Medicine, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

2 Department of Health Promotion, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

3 Division of Nutrition, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

5 Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Treatment, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

Abstract

Background. Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting a significant percent of the population, especially women. It may have serious and long-lasting consequences. The etiology of AT is multifactorial and it arises from an interplas between environmental and genetic factors. Tendencies in AT prevalence and incidence are unclear. In Poland there are no national registers covering the data on AT prevalence.
Objectives. The aim of the investigation was to assess changes in diagnosing AT in the largest chain of outpatient medical centers in Poland.
Material and Methods. We compared freqnancy at which AT and hypothyroidism diagnoses were made during endocrinology consultations in the period 2006–2013. The data was extracted from the database of LUXMED (part of BUPA).
Results. Within 8 years, the prevalence of newly diagnosed AT dropped from 10.4% to 4.8% (p < 0.001) alongside with a decrease in the prevalence of newly diagnosed hypothyroidism from 17.8% to 7.7% (p < 0.00001). AT was widespread in young women aged 20–39. There were relatively more cases in the southern areas of Poland.
Conclusion. The analyzed data does not support a hypothesis indicating a growing incidence of AT in the last years. Detailed epidemiological studies would be helpful in designing screening strategies for patients with this common disorder.

Key words

prevalence, hypothyroidism, autoantibodies, autoimmune thyroiditis

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