Prevalence and temporal trends of anemia in patients with thyroid disease: 1999–2018 NHANES

Abstract

Background

Anemia and thyroid disease, both prevalent health conditions, often co-occur and may be easily overlooked, collectively imposing a significant burden on society. This study specifically investigated the prevalence and temporal trends of anemia among individuals with thyroid disease in the US population, shedding light on a critical intersection in public health.

Methods

Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination data from 10 survey cycles (1999–2018), this study included participants aged 20–85 years who self-reported a diagnosis of thyroid disease. Anemia was defined with a cutoff of 12 g/dL for women and 13 g/dL for men. The chi-square test compared prevalence across different categories and survey cycles. Data analysis employed R 4.3.2, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

The median hemoglobin level among all individuals with thyroid disease was 13.6 g/dL. The overall prevalence of anemia among the US thyroid disease patients was 12.00 % (95 % CI: 10.96–13.09). A noteworthy upward trend in the prevalence of anemia among thyroid disease patients occurred during 1999–2008 (9.58 %, 95 % CI: 8.14–11.18) and 2009–2018 (13.68 %, 95 % CI: 12.26–15.21). Anemia incidence in individuals with thyroid disease was higher in females (9.05 %, 95 % CI: 8.14–10.02), the elderly population (7.98 %, 95 % CI: 7.12–8.91), individuals living alone (5.96 %, 95 % CI: 5.21–6.77), those with high body mass index (5.38 %, 95 % CI: 4.67–6.17), and non-Hispanic Whites (5.33 %, 95 % CI: 4.62–6.11).

Conclusions

The prevalence of anemia in the US population with thyroid disease was 12 %, indicating an increase over the past few decades.