Goitrogenic Food and Prevalence of Goitre in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The relationship of goitrogenic food to prevalence of goitre still remains a topic of debate. Roles of 6 goitrogens was assessed in an prevalence study. Objective was to assess the relatonship of goitrogens on the prevalence of goitre in Sri Lanka. An islandwide descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted excluding north and Batticaloa district. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used on all participants (n=5200). 426 were detected with goitre. Consumption of Cabbage, Lima beans, Millet, Turnips, Cassava and Peanuts was assessed. Significance of dietary goitrogens to the prevalence of goitre was analyzed with Pearson’s chi-square test. Mean age for goitre was 36.3 (±17.3) years. Consumption of goitrogens was low overall. Island wide adjusted prevalence of goitre was 6.8% (SD=6.0%-7.6%). Goitrogens assessed showed no significant association with the prevalence of goitre (p<0.05) concluding that the dietary goitrogens considered in this study showed no significant association with prevalence of goitre.