Study of iodine supply in the population of Ukraine within the framework of the steps project «Study of the prevalence of risk factors for non-infectious diseases» of the World Health Organization

Abstract

Iodine deficiency in the population’s diet is a global problem characteristic for many countries of the world, which leads to the occurrence of a wide range of iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). In Ukraine, unlike many countries of the world, the problem of IDD prevention has not been solved. In order to make legislative decisions regarding the problem of iodine deficiency prevention, more extensive studies of iodine supply to the population in different regions of Ukraine are needed. The aim of the work was to investigate the iodine supply of the population of Ukraine within the framework of the Steps project «Studying the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases» of the World Health Organization. Materials and methods. There were selected 263 respondents aged 18-69 years from all regions of Ukraine, including 203 women and 60 men, using the method of multi-stage representative nationwide sampling with random selection at each stage. After filling out the questionnaires (100% completeness of data filling was achieved for 256 people), and taking blood for research, the respondents were given with a 5-liter container and offered to collect urine for 24 hours. Field data collection was conducted over a period of 13 weeks from mid-June to mid-September 2019. In total, 263 urine samples were selected and sent to State Institution «V.P. Komisarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» to determine the urinary iodine concentration by the drop test. 24-hour urinary iodine excretion was calculated according to the urinary iodine concentration and 24-hour urine volume. Results. The level of iodine supply, in all regions of Ukraine was within the limits of mild iodine deficiency according to the study of the urinary iodine concentration and 24-hour urinary iodine excretion The median urinary iodine concentration was 75.17 μg/L (1st and 3rd percentiles were 47.47 and 115.5 μg/L, respectively). The median 24-hour urinary iodine excretion was 113.9 μg/24 h (1st and 3rd percentiles were 69.2-208.6 μg/24 h), which also indicated the presence of mild iodine deficiency. Practically 70% of samples were in the zone of mild and moderate iodine deficiency. The most pronounced iodine deficiency, approaching the average degree of iodine deficiency was observed in the northern region of Ukraine. Significantly better iodine supply was recorded in the southern, eastern and central regions. Conclusions. The presence of mild iodine deficiency was established throughout the territory of Ukraine according to the data of urinary iodine concentration and 24-hour urinary iodine excretion. There was a high degree of correlation between urinary iodine concentration and 24-hour urinary iodine excretion, both for the entire database and for each region of Ukraine, which confirms the adequacy for determining the urinary iodine concentration to assess 24-hour urinary iodine excretion in epidemiological studies. The need to assess the effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis requires further research, along with iodine supply to determine the iodine content in salt consumed by the population.