Background: Knowledge about the population's iodine status is important, because it allows adjustment of iodine supply and prevention of iodine deficiency. The validity and comparability of iodine-related population studies can be improved by standardization, which was one of the goals of the EUthyroid project. The aim of this study was to establish the first standardized map of iodine status in Europe by using standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) data. Materials and Methods: We established a gold-standard laboratory in Helsinki measuring UIC by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A total of 40 studies from 23 European countries provided 75 urine samples covering the whole range of concentrations. Conversion formulas for UIC derived from the gold-standard values were established by linear regression models and were used to postharmonize the studies by standardizing the UIC data of the individual studies. Results: In comparison with the EUthyroid gold-standard, mean UIC measurements were higher in 11 laboratories and lower in 10 laboratories. The mean differences ranged from −36.6% to 49.5%. Of the 40 postharmonized studies providing data for the standardization, 16 were conducted in schoolchildren, 13 in adults, and 11 in pregnant women. Median standardized UIC was <100 μg/L in 1 out of 16 (6.3%) studies in schoolchildren, while in adults 7 out of 13 (53.8%) studies had a median standardized UIC <100 μg/L. Seven out of 11 (63.6%) studies in pregnant women revealed a median UIC <150 μg/L. Conclusions: We demonstrate that iodine deficiency is still present in Europe, using standardized data from a large number of studies. Adults and pregnant women, particularly, are at risk for iodine deficiency, which calls for action. For instance, a more uniform European legislation on iodine fortification is warranted to ensure that noniodized salt is replaced by iodized salt more often. In addition, further efforts should be put on harmonizing iodine-related studies and iodine measurements to improve the validity and comparability of results.

I deficiency is still a worldwide public health problem, with children being especially vulnerable. No nationwide study had been conducted to assess the I status of Spanish children, and thus an observational, multicentre and cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain to assess the I status and thyroid function in schoolchildren aged 6–7 years. The median urinary I (UI) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in whole blood were used to assess the I status and thyroid function, respectively. A FFQ was used to determine the consumption of I-rich foods. A total of 1981 schoolchildren (52 % male) were included. The median UI was 173 μg/l, and 17·9 % of children showed UI<100 μg/l. The median UI was higher in males (180·8 v. 153·6 μg/l; P<0·001). Iodised salt (IS) intake at home was 69·8 %. IS consumption and intakes of ≥2 glasses of milk or 1 cup of yogurt/d were associated with significantly higher median UI. Median TSH was 0·90 mU/l and was higher in females (0·98 v. 0·83; P<0·001). In total, 0·5 % of children had known hypothyroidism (derived from the questionnaire) and 7·6 % had TSH levels above reference values. Median TSH was higher in schoolchildren with family history of hypothyroidism. I intake was adequate in Spanish schoolchildren. However, no correlation was found between TSH and median UI in any geographical area. The prevalence of TSH above reference values was high and its association with thyroid autoimmunity should be determined. Further assessment of thyroid autoimmunity in Spanish schoolchildren is desirable.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin which affects 1-3% of the population. A higher association of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been described amongst sufferers. The objective of this study was to assess the association of MS and its components amongst subjects suffering psoriasis and compare it with that found for the control group. The secondary objective was to study the relationship between the duration and severity of the psoriasis and the MS. This was a case–control study: 102 subjects with psoriasis and 102 control subjects paired by sex, age and body mass index. Anamnesis: history of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia and psoriasis. Lifestyle. Physical examination: weight, height, blood pressure, waist circumference. Tests: lipid profile, oral glucose tolerance test and insulinemia (HOMA calculation). MS classified according to the 2009 consensus. The prevalence of MS amongst psoriasis patients was 52.9%, as compared to 34.31% in the control group. MS independent factors: age (OR 1.085), body mass index (OR 1.346), sex (OR 2.69 for men) and psoriasis (OR 3.634). A comparative study of patients with psoriasis with or without MS, revealed no relationship to the severity, age at time of diagnosis or time of evolution of the psoriasis. In conclusion, the association of MS amongst psoriasis sufferers is very high and the disease is considered as an independent risk factor for MS. Our results show no relationship between the different characteristics of psoriasis and the presence of MS. The main limitation of this study is that it does not enable to conclude whether psoriasis is a risk factor for MS or the opposite.

Sufficient iodine intake is needed during pregnancy to ensure proper fetal development. The iodine levels of women in their first trimester of pregnancy in Catalonia are currently unknown. This data would help to determine whether our public health services should establish recommendations or interventions in this line. The aim of this study was to investigate the iodine nutritional status, prevalence of urinary iodine <150 μg/L, and tobacco use in the first trimester of pregnancy in our setting. Cross-sectional study. Data were collected during 2008–2009 from women in their first trimester at the primary care centers of the province of Barcelona (Spain). Pregnant women included in the study completed a questionnaire on eating habits and underwent urinary iodine concentration (UIC) assessment. Nine hundred forty five women completed the dietary questionnaire and urinary iodine testing. Median UIC was 172 μg/L, with 407 participants (43.1%) showing levels 2 glasses, OR = 0.593 95% CI (0.37–0.95); iodized salt consumption, OR = 0.678 95% CI (0.51–0. 90); and use of iodine supplementation, OR = 0.410 95% CI (0.31–0.54), protected against the risk of UIC <150 μg/L. Simultaneous consumption of iodized salt and milk (≥1 glass/day) showed a larger protective effect: OR = 0.427, 95% CI (0.31–0.54). The median UIC of the pregnant women surveyed indicated an acceptable iodine nutritional status according to the criteria established by the WHO and ICCIDD. The risk of urinary iodine <150 μg/L decreased with simultaneous consumption of milk and iodized salt, similar to the decrease seen with iodine supplementation.