Thyroid dysfunction in hospital worker population

Introduction: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction (TD) and thyroid autoimmunity (TA) in hospital employees in our country is unknown. Objective: To study the prevalence of TD and TA in a group of hospital employees. Study subjects and methods: We studied thyroid function (thyrotropin, TSH, free thyroxine, T4, and free triiodothyronine, T3) and thyroid autoimmunity (anti-thyroglobulin, antiTg and anti-thyroid peroxidase, antiTPO) in 310 adult subjects (18-70 years) from the hospital General, Segovia, Spain during 2007. Results: Eleven subjects (3.5%, 10 women) had previously known TD. Thirty-four subjects (11.0%) were diagnosed of unknown TD, mainly subclinical hypothyroidism (8.4%). Prevalence of total TD was 14.2%. TA was positive in 44 (14.2%) subjects. Both TD (P<0.05) and TA (P<0.05) were associated with female sex, and antiTPO levels were related to the presence of unknown TD (OR 1.007; 95% CI, 1.004-1.010; P<0.001). Conclusion: In this population, total prevalence of TD and TA is similar (14%). Increased antiTPO titers are predictors of unknown TD. (C) 2010 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.