A model of functional thyroid disease status over the lifetime

Mathematical models of the natural history of disease can predict incidence rates based on prevalence data and support simulations of populations where thyroid function affects other aspects of physiology. We developed a Markov chain model of functional thyroid disease status over the lifetime. Subjects were in one of seven thyroid disease states at any given point in their lives [normal, subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, treated thyroid disease (ever), subclinical hyperthyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, and reverted to normal thyroid status]. We used a Bayesian approach to fitting model parameters. A priori probabilities of changing from each disease state to another per unit time were based on published data and summarized using meta-analysis, when possible. The probabilities of changing state were fitted to observed prevalence data based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012. The fitted model provided a satisfactory fit to the observed prevalence data for each disease state, by sex and decade of age. For example, for males 50–59 years old, the observed prevalence of ever having treated thyroid disease was 4.4% and the predicted value was 4.6%. Comparing the incidence rates of treated disease predicted from our model with published values revealed that 82% were within a 4-fold difference. The differences seemed to be systematic and were consistent with expectation based on national iodine intakes. The model provided new and comprehensive estimates of functional thyroid disease incidence rates for the U.S. Because the model provides a reasonable fit to national prevalence data and predicts thyroid disease status over the lifetime, it is suitable for simulating populations, thereby making possible quantitative bias analyses of selected epidemiologic data reporting an association of thyroid disease with serum concentrations of environmental contaminants.