Abstract

THE PREVALENCE OF THYROID DISORDER AMONG ADULTS FROM ASIAN COUNTRIES: A REVIEW

Norah S. Alsuhaibani, Lina M. Alwaili, Hana A. Alenezi, Heton K. Alotaibi, Loujain A. Alkhudairy and Tarfa Albrahim*

ABSTRACT

The thyroid hormone released by thyroid gland controls metabolism. All populations worldwide are susceptible to thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, both of which have devastating health outcomes. Although iodine intake is a major risk factor for thyroid disorder, other variables including gender, genetics, and aging all have an impact on the epidemiology of thyroid disorder. This review aimed to identify the prevalence of thyroid disorder among adults from different Asian populations. Eleven cross-sectional studies from various Asian nations were included in this review. Science Direct, MDPI, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Springer publications were used to identify studies published from 2010 up to 2022. Out of the 11 included studies, it has been found that the Pakistani population had the highest prevalence of hyperthyroidism (32.5%) and hypothyroidism (31.8%). The highest prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was in Saudi Arabia in the Asir region (39%), while the lowest hyperthyroidism prevalence has been seen in India and Korea (0.67% and 2.98%, respectively). Six cross-sectional studies out of eleven studies reported a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism observed in females than in males. A positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid nodules were a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism, and having a family history of thyroid disorder can be a predictor for hypothyroidism but not for hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, iodine intake can cause thyroid disorder when it's not taken in appropriate amounts. This suggests the need to monitor iodine intake and establish education programs among the adult population from different Asian countries.

Keywords: Thyroid gland, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Asian countries.