International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Northern Epidemiology

Background: Thyroid disease depends on genetics and environmental factors. Their influence and interaction is not clear. Greenland Inuit live on different levels of Westernisation causing different levels of influence by some environmental factors. Also, a group of Caucasian living alongside Inuit share the Arctic environment.

Aim: To obtain knowledge on the interaction of genetics, environmental factors and thyroid function in Arctic populations.

Methods: We investigated 50-69 year old Inuit in 3 areas of Greenland with different ways of living: urban Inuit in the capital (Nuuk, n=150) in Westgreenland, Inuit in a coastal town (Tasiilaq, n=141) and rural Inuit in settlements (n=143) in Eastgreenland, and a group of non-Inuit (Caucasians, n=101) living in the same areas with a Westernised lifestyle. Participants answered questionnaires regarding lifestyle factors and dietary habits. Blood and urine sampels were collected and TSH and thyroglobulin (TG) were measured in serum, and iodine in urine.

Results. One percent of the population of Greenland participated (n=535) with a 95% participation rate. Inuit heritage was associated with a higher risk of abnormal serum TSH (OR=2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1-8.1, p=0.024) and a higher risk of elevated serum TG (OR=2.9, 1.8-4.8, p<0.001) in logistic regression models. Similarly was female gender associated with a higher risk of abnormal TSH (OR=2.7, 1.5-4.8, p=0.001) and a higher risk of elevated serum TG (OR=3.7, 2.2-6.3, p<0.001). Eastgreenland Inuit had a higher risk of abnormal TSH (OR=3.8, 1.1-12.7, p=0.03) and a higher risk of elevated serum TG (OR=3.9, 2.3-6.6, p<0.001). A high iodine excretion increased the risk of abnormal serum TSH (OR=2.3, 1.3-4.1, p=0.006) and elevated serum TG (OR=2.2, 1.4-4.5, p=0.002) in univariate models while not in multivariate models.

In conclusion we found ethnicity, gender, and participant group important to serum TSH and serum thyroglobulin levels in Arctic populations. In addition, high iodine excretion may be important.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)