Relationship Between Iodine аnd Selenium Deficiency in Soil аnd Incidence of Thyroid Diseases in Population of Central Federal District

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, there has been an increased incidence of thyroid diseases worldwide. Following the Chernobyl accident, unique environmental and geochemical conditions developed in the Central Federal District, where the thyroid gland was affected by both environmental (microelemental deficiency, primarily iodine and selenium) and man-made (radioisotope contamination) factors. The studies have confirmed the relationship between iodine deficiency in the soil cover of the Central Federal District and the prevalence of thyroid diseases, including cancer. The study provides reliable data to prevent the diseases and to raise diagnostic alerts for the regional healthcare system and allows to develop the appropriate content for the population.

AIM: To analyze regional differences of thyroid disease incidence in the population of the Central Federal District based on its microelemental status.

METHODS: To analyze the population health of the Central Federal District and its constituent entities, we used population data, anonymized data on the number of patients with newly diagnosed thyroid diseases for 2013–2017, and incidence of malignant thyroid neoplasms for 1995–2023. To build a distribution model of microelements in the soil cover of the regions, the Unified State Register of Soil Resources was used. Each soil type–parent rock pair was assigned average content attributes. The reliability of microelemental estimates has been confirmed by field studies. We mapped iodine and selenium status of soils in the studied region. A nonparametric comparison of morbidity rates and map-based estimates was performed using the Spearman’s rank correlation.

RESULTS: An analysis of soil samples collected in 2007–2023 in some regions of the Central Federal District confirmed the correctness of the map-based model of the estimated microelemental composition of soil. We found significant negative correlations (R=-0.473; p=0.055) between the iodine levels in the soils of the Central Federal District and thyroid diseases. For the adult population, we found a positive correlation between radioisotope soil contamination and the incidence of thyroid cancer (R=0.711; p=0.001). In addition, for children (0–17 years), we found a negative correlation (R=-0.375; p=0.138) between the iodine level in soils and the incidence of thyroid cancer. As the selenium level in the soils of the Central Federal District is within the reference range, no relationship was found between the incidence and this microelement level in the soil (R=-0.091; p=0.729).

CONCLUSION: Comparison of geochemical and medical data in the context of spatial heterogeneity of risks associated with the effects of Chernobyl radioactive contamination of soil and natural deficiency confirmed the relationship between iodine deficiency in the environment and health status. There is a need to increase awareness of the population of the Central Federal District and heads of regional executive authorities of the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiency.

About the authors

Vladimir I. Starodubov

Russian Research Institute of Health

Email: starodubov@mednet.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3625-4278
SPIN-code: 7223-9834

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Russian Federation, Moscow

Vladimir S. Baranchukov

Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: baranchukov@geokhi.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1519-9983
SPIN-code: 2266-2251
Russian Federation, Moscow

Elena A. Varavikova

Russian Research Institute of Health

Email: dr.e.varavikova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3408-3417
SPIN-code: 3026-3615

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Viktor Yu. Berezkin

Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: victor76@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1025-638X
SPIN-code: 7074-9478

Cand. Sci. (Geology and Mineralogy)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Liudmila I. Kolmykova

Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: kmila9999@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4070-9869
SPIN-code: 2111-3310

Cand. Sci. (Geology and Mineralogy)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Valentina N. Danilova

Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: val1910@mail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3308-8443
SPIN-code: 1778-9633
Russian Federation, Moscow

Valery S. Stupak

Russian Research Institute of Health

Email: stupak@mednet.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8722-1142
SPIN-code: 3720-1479

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Associate Professor

Russian Federation, Moscow

Ekaterina N. Yenina

Russian Research Institute of Health

Email: eninaen@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9876-5102
SPIN-code: 7531-4051
Russian Federation, Moscow

Yulia S. Zhuravleva

Russian Research Institute of Health

Email: zhuravlevays@mednet.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2278-9415
SPIN-code: 8322-3369
Russian Federation, Moscow

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig 1. Distribution of estimated iodine (I) and selenium (Se) levels in the regions of the Central Federal District. The red line shows the distribution curve.

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3. Fig 2. Comparison of map-based estimates of soil iodine (I) and selenium (Se) level and actual data from the selection.

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4. Fig. 3. Spatial distribution of iodine (I) and selenium (Se) levels in soils of the Central Federal District.

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