Gender based disparities in thyroid dysfunction among the elderly: elevated prevalence in women

To explore gender disparities in thyroid dysfunction within the elderly population.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly individuals residing in Longxi County (Dingxi City, Gansu Province), Yuncheng County (Heze City, Shandong Province), and Tianjin, China. Urine and blood samples were collected, and thyroid volume was measured using thyroid ultrasonography to evaluate iodine nutritional status and thyroid function in the elderly.

A total of 3397 elderly individuals were included in the study, comprising 1433 men and 1964 women. The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 253.27  (interquartile range: 126.50-492.66) μg/L. The study revealed that the prevalence of thyroid nodules, goiter, positive thyroid antibodies, and thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in women than in men (P < 0.05). With the increase in iodine nutrition levels, an upward trend in the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is observed across both men and women elderly populations (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that elderly women had a significantly higher risk of thyroid nodules (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.56-2.06), goiter (OR: 10.67, 95% CI: 5.18-22.01), positive thyroid antibodies (OR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.90-2.81), and thyroid dysfunction (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.51-2.09) compared with men.

Our findings highlight a significant sexual dimorphism in thyroid health among the elderly. Women consistently exhibited a higher risk of thyroid dysfunction, nodules, and autoimmunity compared to men, with this disparity remaining evident across all levels of iodine nutrition.