AN ESTIMATION OF CLINICAL HYPERTHYROIDISM PREVALENCE IN THE NATIONAL AND SUB-NATIONAL LEVELS IN IRAN USING CLAIMS DATA

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of clinical hyperthyroidism at the national and sub-national levels using the claims data.

National anti-thyroid medications (methimazole and propylthiouracil) sales data in 2014 were extracted from pharmaceutical sales data that were reported by Iranchr('39')s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By using prescriptions data of Social Security Insurance Organization (SSIO) and Medical Services Insurance Organization (MSIO) in 2014, age-sex-province proportions of drug consumptions and Defined Daily Dose (DDD) of anti-thyroid medications were calculated. Moreover, by systematic review and meta-analysis of published literatures in hyperthyroidism in Iran, the prescription rate of anti-thyroid medications was calculated. Finally by using the whole data, the prevalence of clinical hyperthyroidism was estimated in each age and sex groups in national and provincial levels.

The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of clinical hyperthyroidism in Iran in 2014 is 0.32% (0.21-0.51%); 0.44% (0.29-0.68%) in females and 0.2% (0.12-0.33%) in males. Among provinces the least prevalence rate of clinical hyperthyroidism is 0.24% (0.16-0.38%) which belongs to Sistan and Baluchistan, and the highest prevalence rate is 0.38% (0.24-0.6%) which belongs to Gilan.

The prevalence rate that reported by this study is compatible with other surveys which performed in the world and Iran. As a result using claims data is a good source to predict prevalence of chronic diseases that have specific drugs.