The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and the clinical and laboratory data of 210 patients coming from the municipality of Cabaceiras, Paraíba, were studied. They were classified in two groups: 1 (n=122), patients from the rural area with uninvestigated thyroid complaints, and 2 (n= 88) apparently healthy volunteers from the urban area. The study included clinical examination, hormonal evaluation (TSH, T3, FT4), determination of anti-microssomal antibodies (AAM), and ultrasonography (US) of the thyroid gland (not performed in volunteers). The majority of […]