Iodine prophylaxis, voices from the past after 65 years

Abstract

In 1953, Dr. Felipe Rodriguez Moreno joined the Granada Research Group on Endemic Goiter, which was led by Dr. Ortiz de Landazuri. A high goiter prevalence (62% in women) was found out within the area, and that prevalence was observed to be related to the dietary habits of the time, being the most disadvantaged those who were showing a greater prevalence.A relationship between the high goiter prevalence and the family of the subjects with goiter was also found out, as they usually had a first-degree relative with affection.Iodine content of drinking water was poor throughout the area, so the prevalence was not significantly different between individuals who drank from different water sources.There were only two females with cretinism and two males affected by "idiocy", so the goiters were probably euthyroid.After introducing iodine prophylaxis with iodized salt in Guejar-Sierra, prevalence decreased from 53% to 13% between 1953 and 1958.