مقايسه شيوع گواتر در مردان و زنان: يك متاآناليز

Difference in Goiter Prevalence Between Genders: a Metaanalysis of Literature

Introduction: Several studies have shown that goiter is more prevalent in females than in males, although before puberty there is no difference between genders, indicating that sex steroids may play a role in thyroid volume. Iodine deficiency may result in an increase prevalence in goiter prevalence but the difference between genders is not clear. This study is a metaanalysis of studies that have compared goiter prevalence between genders at different ages, with differing iodine status. Materials and Methods: This is a systematic review and metaanalysis based on Cochraneʹ criteria. Databases of MEDLINE-EMBASE-Cochrane and Persian databases of Iranmedex- Magiran- SID- Irondoc were searched and all articles on goiter in both sexes goiter were examined were included. Results: A hundred and five studies, with total number of 429252 individuals, age range 1-80 y, were included. Odds ratio of female to male goiter was OR=1.39 (95%CI=1.28-1.51), a ratio higher in longstanding iodine insufficient areas, than in areas of recent iodine sufficiency (1.94 vs. 1.36), the difference in iodine sufficient area being non significant. This ratio for grade 2 of goiter was higher than grade 1(1.78 vs. 1.30), and in persons> 15 years old rose significantly, especially in iodine deficient areas. Conclusion: Goiter is more prevalent in females than in males.