| Difference in Goiter Prevalence Between Genders: a Metaanalysis of Literature | 
								
								  | Ramin Malboosbaf    ,  Farhad Hosseinpanah    ,   Fereidoun Azizi    ,  M Mojarrad    ,  S Jambarsang    | 
								
								  | Research Institute for Endocrine Science , azizi@erc.ac.ir | 
								
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								  | Abstract:       (31258 Views) | 
								
								  | 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  Cochrane’ 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. | 
								
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								  | Keywords:  Goiter, Prevalence, Male, Female | 
								
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								  | Type of Study:  Review |
                                  Subject: 
                                  Endocrinology Received: 2010/07/31 | Published: 2011/03/15
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