Extent and epidemiology of endemic goitre in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A survey of 1% of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina over 6 years of age was carried out in 1956 in order to investigate the extent and epidemiology of endemic goitre in that Republic. The prevalence of goitre was found to be far greater than had been supposed, one male in five and rather more than one female in three showing signs of the disease. By and large, prevalence increases with increasing age. The proportion of the more severe forms of thyroid enlargement also increases with age, and at all ages the severity is greater among females than among males. No correlation could be established between the prevalence of goitre and the iodine content or the degree of pollution of the drinking-water. The authors offer some working hypotheses in explanation of their findings.