The prevalence of palpable thyroid morphological abnormalities does not exceed 8% in the adult population. A free program was conducted in the Hospital de Clínicas (University of Buenos Aires) for the detection of thyroid diseases, inviting subjects who were unaware of a history of these diseases. The aim was to establish the frequency of goitre in the selected population, as well as to evaluate the prevalence of functional disorders and thyroid autoimmunity, and to compare these results with the findings of a similar study performed in 2001¹. The subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 186) patients with a history of previously known thyroid disorders (excluded subjects); Group 2 (n = 184) subjects with a family history of thyroid disease, other autoimmune diseases, or symptoms that could be attributed to changes in thyroid function (Induced Group), and Group 3 (n = 288) subjects who participated in this program due to mere curiosity (Random Group). Autoimmunity and thyroid function was assessed in 144 randomly selected participants in Group 3. In Group 3, the prevalence of morphological alterations of the thyroid gland was 11.09%. Comparing these results with those obtained 12 years ago in a similar study performed in our hospital, no statistically significant differences were found when the prevalence of morphological thyroid alterations were compared (8.7% vs 11.09%, p=.25). As for thyroid function, subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 6.25%, subclinical hyperthyroidism in 0.7%, and autoimmunity in 11% of subjects evaluated. It was concluded that the prevalence of palpable thyroid abnormalities had not change in the last decade. This study, made in a correctly selected population, is a useful tool for future reference as a control population in Argentina.

La prevalencia de alteraciones morfológicas palpables tiroideas no supera el 8% en la población adulta. En el Hospital de Clínicas de la Universidad de Buenos Aires se llevó a cabo un programa gratuito para la detección de enfermedades tiroideas, convocándose a sujetos que desconocieran antecedentes tiroideos. Nuestro objetivo fue establecer la frecuencia de patología morfológica palpable tiroidea, en una población seleccionada de pacientes, y comparar dichos resultados con los hallazgos de un programa de detección similar, realizado en el año 2001¹. Adicionalmente, evaluar la prevalencia de alteraciones funcionales y de autoinmunidad tiroidea. Los individuos que concurrieron se dividieron en 3 grupos: Grupo 1 (n = 186) pacientes con antecedentes personales de enfermedad tiroidea conocida (excluidos del análisis); Grupo 2 (n = 184) sujetos con antecedentes familiares, otras enfermedades autoinmunes, o sintomatología que pudiera atribuirse a alteración de la función tiroidea (grupo inducido), y Grupo 3 (n = 288) sujetos que consultaron por mera curiosidad (grupo random). La función y autoinmunidad tiroidea se evaluó en 144 participantes del Grupo 3, citados al azar. En el grupo random, la prevalencia de alteraciones morfológicas tiroideas, detectadas por palpación, fue del 11,09%. Al comparar estos resultados con los obtenidos 12 años atrás en un estudio similar, realizado en nuestro hospital, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (8,7 vs. 11,09%; p = 0,25). En cuanto a la función tiroidea, se halló hipotiroidismo subclínico en el 6,25%, hipertiroidismo subclínico en el 0,7% y autoinmunidad en el 11% de los sujetos evaluados. En conclusión, la prevalencia de alteraciones palpables de la glándula tiroides no cambió en laúltima década. Esta investigación realizada en una población correctamente seleccionada constituye una herramienta útil para referencias futuras como población control en Argentina.

Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia do sorafenibe no carcinoma de tireoide metastático progressivo e refratário à iodoterapia.Sujeitos e métodos: Estudo observacional do efeito do sorafenibe off-label administrado 400 mg duas vezes ao dia. A duração da terapia foi de 12 ± 3 meses (variação de 6-16 meses).Resultados: Oito pacientes foram incluídos (sete com variante papilífera e um com variante insular). Os oito pacientes que preencheram os critérios do estudo receberam o sorafenibe 400 mg por via oral duas vezes por dia até progressão da doença ou toxicidade inaceitável. Um paciente apresentou uma resposta parcial com regressão tumoral da lesão alvo de 35% seis meses após o início do tratamento; cinco pacientes apresentaram doença estável e dois pacientes progrediram e morreram. A tireoglobulina diminuiu 50% ± 23% em 4 semanas em todos os pacientes.Eventos adversos: um paciente teve insuficiência cardíaca e morreu por morte súbita cinco meses após a retirada do sorafenibe.Conclusão: Esses dados sugerem um possível papel para sorafenibe para o tratamento do CDT metastático progressivo.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sorafenib in progressive radioiodine resistant metastatic thyroid carcinoma.Subjects and methods: Off-label observational study. Sorafenib 400 mg twice daily was evaluated. Therapy duration was 12 ± 3 months (range 6-16 months).Results: Eight patients were included (seven papillary, one insular variant). The eight patients meeting study criteria received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity developed. One patient showed a partial response with tumor regression of -35%, six months after the beginning of the treatment; five patients exhibited stable disease and two patients had progressive disease and died. Thyroglobulin decreased within 4 weeks in all patients by 50% ± 23%.Adverse events: one patient had heart failure, and recovered after sorafenib withdrawal. However, she died five months later of sudden death.Conclusion: These data suggest a possible role for sorafenib in the treatment of progressive metastatic DTC. Adverse event are usually manageable, but severe ones may appear and these patients should be strictly controlled.

Vários consensos têm sido publicados acerca do diagnóstico e do tratamento de nódulos e câncer da tireoide. Entretanto, as recentes recomendações nem sempre são apropriadas para diferentes regiões ou países. O objetivo deste trabalho foi oferecer uma série de recomendações para a avaliação e conduta de pacientes portadores de nódulos tireoideos aplicáveis a todos os países da América Latina. O trabalho foi realizado por um comitê composto por 13 membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide envolvidos com pesquisa e manejo de pacientes portadores de nódulos e carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide, de diferentes centros médicos da América Latina. As recomendações foram estabelecidas, após consenso, utilizando as opiniões especializadas de cada membro e os princípios da medicina baseada em evidência. Após a primeira reunião do grupo, um primeiro documento foi elaborado e encaminhado a todos os membros para revisão. Posteriormente, o documento foi enviado aos membros da Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide para avaliação, sugestões e comentários. A versão final, elaborada após refinada revisão de todos os autores, representa o estado da arte no diagnóstico e na conduta de nódulos tireoideos, aplicáveis a todos os países da América Latina.

Several guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer have recently been published. However, recommended practices are not always appropriate to different settings or countries. The aim of this consensus was to develop Clinical Guidelines for evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules applicable to Latin American countries. The panel was composed by 13 members of the Latin American Thyroid Society involved with research and management of thyroid nodules and cancer from different medical centers in Latin America. The consensus was produced based on the expert opinion of the panel with use of principles of evidence-based medicine. Following a group meeting, a first draft based on the expert opinion of the panel was elaborated and later circulated among panel members for further revision. After revision, this document was submitted to all LATS members for commentaries and considerations and finally revised and refined by the authors. The final recommendations represent state of the art on management of thyroid nodules applied to all Latin American countries.

The Hospital de Clínicas organized a free program of goiter detection by palpation. This campaign was aimed at the population of the metropolitan area of Greater Buenos Aires (11 million inhabitants), with the prerequisite that each participant should be quite unaware whether he/she was a carrier of any thyroid disease. Attendees were split into two groups, i.e., Random and Induced. The former consisted of 542 individuals who came to consultation due to mere curiosity, while the latter involved 500 subjects, comprising consanguineous family members of patients with thyroid disorders and also individuals who suffered from other ailments. Ages ranged from 2 to 85 years. In the Random Group, goiter prevalence of 8.7% was observed, while in the Induced Group it climbed to 14.4%. Since both groups were mostly made up of women (87.2%), a correction based on the masculinity index was applied to members of the Random Group. Thus, the total observed prevalence of goiter was 6%, diffuse goiters corresponding to 3.5% and nodular ones to 2.5%. The frequency of nodules increased with age, 90.5% occurring in those over 40 years. In the Induced Group, goiter prevalence among relatives of patients with thyroid disorders proved to be 13.1%, rising to 17.8% in those who suffered from other complaints. The epidemic data presented herein are the first arising from a screening survey carried out in a large iodine-sufficient population of the southernmost tip of the American continent. These results are useful to build up the world map of goiter prevalence in non-endemic areas.

El Hospital de Clínicas organizó un programa gratuito para la detección de bocio por palpación. Esta campaña estuvo dirigida a la población del área metropolitana del Gran Buenos Aires, con el prerrequisito de que cada participante debía desconocer si padecía alguna enfermedad tiroidea. De acuerdo a las motivaciones que llevaron a los pacientes a la evaluación, se dividieron en 2 grupos: Randomizado e Inducido. El primero consistió de 542 individuos que consultaron por mera curiosidad, mientras que el segundo involucró a 500 sujetos que tenían familiares con enfermedades tiroideas e individuos que sufrían otras enfermedades. Las edades oscilaron entre 2 y 85 años. En el Grupo Randomizado, la prevalencia de bocio fue del 8.7%, mientras que en el Grupo Inducido ascendió a 14.4%. Debido a que ambos grupos estaban compuestos en su mayoría por mujeres (87.2%), se realizó una corrección al Grupo Randomizado, basada en el índice de masculinidad. Luego de esta corrección, la prevalencia total de bocio fue del 6%: difusos 3.5% y nodulares 2.5%. La frecuencia de nódulos tiroideos se incrementó con la edad, el 90.5% de los sujetos con nódulos tenía más de 40 años. En el Grupo Inducido, la prevalencia de bocio entre familiares de pacientes con tiroideopatías fue del 13.1%, ascendiendo a 17.8% en aquellos que presentaban otros síntomas. Estos datos son los primeros presentados luego de un screening en una gran área suficiente en yodo de la región más austral del continente Americano y son útiles para construir el mapa mundial de prevalencia de bocio en áreas no endémicas.