Abstract
Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) remains the most common cause of spontaneous hypothyroidism in areas of adequate iodine intake, such as North America. The incidence of HT is estimated to be 10-15 times higher in females. The most commonly affected age range is 30-50 years, with the peak incidence in men occurring 10-15 years later, but it may be seen in any age group, including children. Hashimoto's thyroiditis appears to occur in more than 10% of patients presenting with thyroid nodule and may be associated with other autoimmune disorders. The occurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma in HT ranges widely from 0.5-30% of cases. The prevalence of thyroid antibodies is twice more common in women than in men, and higher in whites and Asians than Blacks or Mexicans. There is approximately a 30-fold increase in risk for developing HT in children and 20-fold increased risk in siblings of patients with HT, with females being significantly more often affected than males. This chapter explores the epidemiology of Hashimoto's disease.
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