地方性甲状腺肿流行于山区和内陆,是一种世界性的多发病。关于世界各地本病流行的情况,联合国世界卫生组织有过报导,估计全世界病人总数约2亿人。近年来各地推行预防措施已有成效,但亚洲、非洲、拉丁美洲流行仍很严重,在欧洲一些地区仍有不同程度的流行。现就近年来研究本病的一些进展,综述于下。地方性甲状腺肿的病因缺碘、致甲状腺肿物质是本病的主要病因。甲状腺因此不能分泌足够的激素—三碘甲腺原氨酸(简称T_3)和四碘甲腺原氨酸(亦称甲状腺素,简称T_4),血中甲状腺激素浓度降低,反馈作用减弱,脑垂体前叶促甲状 Endemic goiter epidemic in the mountains and inland, is a worldwide incidence. With regard to the prevalence of this disease in various parts of the world, the UN World Health Organization has reported that the estimated total number of patients in the world is about 200 million. In recent years, preventive measures have been implemented everywhere. However, the prevalence in Asia, Africa and Latin America is still very serious and there are still some levels of prevalence in some parts of Europe. Now in recent years to study some of the progress of this disease, summarized in the next. The causes of endemic goiter iodine deficiency, goiter substances is the main cause of the disease. Thyroid therefore can not secrete enough hormones - triiodothyronine (referred to as T_3) and tetraiodothyronine (also known as thyroxine, referred to as T_4), blood thyroid hormone concentration decreased, the feedback effect weakened, pituitary Anterior pro-thyroid