Background and aim: Thyroid pathologies, in particular goiter, are commonly found in everyday clinical practice in hospitalised patients.
Methods: The authors carried out a prospective type survey lasting 80 months in a mountain community with about 30,000 inhabitants with uniform socio-demographical characteristics. A total of 8,034 subjects (4,131 males and 3,903 females) were included in the study who were hospitalised in an Internal Medicine Department. All patients underwent screening using standard diagnostic criteria.
Results: Thyroid pathology was identified and classified into its various forms. There was a net prevalence of goiter which, owing to the unique features identified by the study, was defined as the sporadic form. The study demonstrated a marked prevalence in females, the familial pattern, the homogeneity of distribution throughout the area, the progression of disease with age and its evolution into immersed forms, the prevalence in both sexes in adults, the frequent use of surgery and its inherent problems, the inadequacy of treatment.
Conclusions: The authors affirm that this pathology is regularly underestimated because it is not adequately identified, treated and monitored. They suggest a clinical and methodological approach based on a correct nosological definition, adequate diagnostic and prognostic stratification, an appropriate therapeutic protocol and clinical controls performed over time.