Endemic Goiter and Iodine Prophylaxis in Calabria, a Region of Southern Italy: Past and Present.

Giordano Giordano,Marsico Marsico,Andò Andò,Catalano Catalano,Bonofiglio Bonofiglio,Bruno Bruno,Barone Barone

doi:10.3390/nu11102428

Giordano Giordano, Marsico Marsico + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102428

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Oct 11, 2019
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Calabria

Abstract

Iodine, a micronutrient that plays a pivotal role in thyroid hormone synthesis, is essential for proper health at all life stages. Indeed, an insufficient iodine intake may determine a thyroid dysfunction also with goiter, or it may be associated to clinical features such as stunted growth and mental retardation, referred as iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Iodine deficiency still remains an important public health problem in many countries, including Italy. The effective strategy for the prevention and control of IDDs is universal salt iodization, which was implemented in Italy in 2005 as a nationwide program adopted after the approval of an Italian law. Despite an improvement in the iodine intake, many regions in Italy are still characterized by mild iodine deficiency. In this review, we provide an overview of the historical evolution of the iodine status in the Calabria region, located in the South of Italy, during the past three decades. In particular, we have retraced an itinerary from the first epidemiological surveys at the end of the 1980s to the establishment of the Regional Observatory of Endemic Goiter and Iodine Prophylaxis, which represents an efficient model for the surveillance of IDDs and monitoring the efficacy of iodine prophylaxis.

Highlights

Iodine deficiency and related disorders are still a public health problem that affects most countries, including industrialized and developing regions [1,2]
Following the introduction of mandatory salt iodization in 1995, Madagascar showed a swift growth in iodized salt coverage, a recent national survey reported that iodine deficiency remains a serious public health problem there [23]
In this review we provide an overview of the iodine status in Calabria, a region of Southern

Summary

Introduction

Iodine deficiency and related disorders are still a public health problem that affects most countries, including industrialized and developing regions [1,2]. Following the introduction of mandatory salt iodization in 1995, Madagascar showed a swift growth in iodized salt coverage, a recent national survey reported that iodine deficiency remains a serious public health problem there [23]. This implies that to maintain an effective program on salt iodization over the long term, it is necessary to set up a system that coordinates and monitors the sale trend of iodized salt and communicates the health benefits of consuming iodized salt. 1980s to the present for assessing and monitoring iodine status in the Calabria region

History of Goiter and Iodine Deficiency in Calabria

Status of Iodine Intake Over the Last Two Decades in the Calabria Region

Epidemiological Surveys

Promotional Campaign

Sale Trend of Iodized Salt

Findings

Conclusions