Goiter Incidence in the Aegean Region and the Role of Drinking Water and Hereditary Factors in Goiter Development

ABSTRACT
The Aegean region is an endemic area for goiter, though its endemic map has not been plotted accurately.
The aim of this study was to define the goiter incidence in the cities of izmir and Aydın. Of all the subjects who were screened 49% of them had goiter of different sizes and 75% of goiters were nodular. The role of water and heredity as etiological factors have also been assessed. 55% of the patients with goiter were using water from wells for drinking and 30% had positive family history.