BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules have been found to be common in the population of the Marshall Islands. This has been attributed to potential exposure of radioiodines from the nuclear weapons tests on Bikini and Eniwetok between 1946 and 1958. METHODS: In order to get a full picture of thyroid pathology in the Marshallese population potentially exposed to radioactive fallout we performed a large thyroid screening programme using palpation, high resolution ultrasound and fine needle biopsies of palpable nodules. In addition, various parameters of thyroid function (free T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) and anti-thyroid antibodies were examined in large proportions of the total population at risk. Since dietary iodine deficiency is an established risk factor for thyroid nodules, iodine concentration in urine samples of 362 adults and 119 children was measured as well as the iodine content of selected staple food products. RESULTS: The expected high prevalence of thyroid nodules was confirmed. There was no indication of an increased rate of impaired thyroid function in the Marshallese population. A moderate degree of iodine deficiency was found which may be responsible for some of the increased prevalence of thyroid nodules in the Marshallese population. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on the relationship between exposure to radioiodines and thyroid nodules need to take dietary iodine deficiency into account in the interpretation of findings.
BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules have been found to be common in the population of the Marshall Islands. This has been attributed to potential exposure of radioiodines from the nuclear weapons tests on Bikini and Eniwetok between 1946 and 1958. METHODS: In order to get a full picture of thyroid pathology in the Marshallese population potentially exposed to radioactive fallout we performed a large thyroid screening programme using palpation, high resolution ultrasound and fine needle biopsies of palpable nodules. In addition, various parameters of thyroid function (free T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) and anti-thyroid antibodies were examined in large proportions of the total population at risk. Since dietary iodine deficiency is an established risk factor for thyroid nodules, iodine concentration in urine samples of 362 adults and 119 children was measured as well as the iodine content of selected staple food products. RESULTS: The expected high prevalence of thyroid nodules was confirmed. There was no indication of an increased rate of impaired thyroid function in the Marshallese population. A moderate degree of iodine deficiency was found which may be responsible for some of the increased prevalence of thyroid nodules in the Marshallese population. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on the relationship between exposure to radioiodines and thyroid nodules need to take dietary iodine deficiency into account in the interpretation of findings.
Authors: F de Vathaire; V Drozdovitch; P Brindel; F Rachedi; J-L Boissin; J Sebbag; L Shan; F Bost-Bezeaud; P Petitdidier; J Paoaafaite; J Teuri; J Iltis; A Bouville; E Cardis; C Hill; F Doyon Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2010-08-31 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Evgenia Ostroumova; Alexander Rozhko; Maureen Hatch; Kyoji Furukawa; Olga Polyanskaya; Robert J McConnell; Eldar Nadyrov; Sergey Petrenko; George Romanov; Vasilina Yauseyenka; Vladimir Drozdovitch; Viktor Minenko; Alexander Prokopovich; Irina Savasteeva; Lydia B Zablotska; Kiyohiko Mabuchi; Alina V Brenner Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2013-05-07 Impact factor: 9.031