Iodine Deficiency Disorders: Current State of the Problem in the Republic of Crimea

Background: The article presents the results of a control and epidemiological study conducted in September 2020 by specialists of the Federal State Budgetary Institution «NMIC of Endocrinology» of the Ministry of Health of Russia, aimed at assessing the current state of iodine provision in the population of the Republic of Crimea. The study in Crimea is part of a number of activities and work carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation within the framework of state assignments «Scientific assessment of the need for additional regulatory legal and other measures to eliminate iodine deficiency in pilot regions with severe iodine deficiency» and «Epidemiological and molecular-cellular characteristics of tumor, autoimmune and iodine deficiency thyropathies as a basis for prevention of complications and personalization of treatment.The data obtained reflect the state of the problem of iodine consumption on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula and indicate the relevance of the adoption of a regional preventive program aimed at eliminating iodine deficiency in the diet of the population and related diseases.Aim: Assessment of iodine supply of the population of the Republic of CrimeaMaterials and methods: The research was carried out in secondary schools of four districts of the Republic of Crimea — in the years. Simferopol, Belogorsk, Bakhchisarai and Saki.The volume of the study — 356 schoolchildren of 8-10 years old, all were completed: taking anamnesis and anthropometric parameters (height, weight), examination by an endocrinologist with palpation of the thyroid gland (thyroid gland), ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland (thyroid ultrasound), obtaining single portions of urine and samples of table salt (5-10 grams), which is used daily in the diet in their families. The measurements of the height and weight of the children by the standard method were carried out during the examination by a specialist. Thyroid ultrasound was performed in the supine position using a portable LOGIQe ultrasound machine (China) with a 10-15 MHz multifrequency linear transducer. All urine samples (n = 356) in disposable Eppendorf microtubes were immediately frozen at a temperature of minus 20-25°! for further determination of the concentration of iodine in urine using the cerium-arsenite method (based on the clinical diagnostic laboratory of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NMITs endocrinology «of the Ministry of Health of Russia). A qualitative study for the presence of potassium iodate in food table salt samples (n = 203) was carried out on site by the express method.Informed consent was obtained from all parents / guardians of children for the examination and processing of personal data. The permission of the local ethical committee of the Federal State Budgetary Institution «NMIC of Endocrinology» of the Ministry of Health of Russia was received on March 25, 2020, No. 5.Results: According to the results of a survey of 356 children of primary school age, the median concentration of iodine in urine (mCIM) is 97 pg / l and varies from 78 to 98 pg / l in the surveyed areas, the proportion of urine samples with a reduced iodine concentration was 51.2%. The share of iodized salt use in the families of schoolchildren was 12.3% (values range from 10% to 15%). The average incidence of goiter in children according to ultrasound data is 9.5% (range of values from 1.7% to 16.3%).Conclusion.The indicator of the median concentration of iodine in urine indicates an insufficient iodine supply of the population of the Republic of Crimea.The prevalence of goiter in children of primary school age according to the ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland corresponds to the mild severity of iodine deficiency in the mild degree of goiter endemic in the region.The share of households using iodized salt is extremely low and amounts to 12.3%, which does not meet the WHO recommendations for regions with natural iodine deficiency (from 90% or more).