Computer analysis of symptom patterns as a method of screening patients at special risk of hypothyroidism.

Patients in the Birmingham region who are treated with radio-iodine are kept under continued surveillance by means of a follow-up system, which effects periodic screening for hypothyroidism. In this follow-up system, which is described elsewhere (Barker and Bishop, 1969), the serum protein bound iodine (PBI) is measured at intervals of 21 months. Nine months before serum PBI measurement is due a postal questionnaire is sent to each patient. It comprises nine questions, each of which elicits a symptom of hypothyroidism and must be answered 'Yes' or 'No'. If at any time replies to the questionnaire, or the level of the serum PBI, suggest hypothyroidism, the patient is referred to the out-patient clinic for full medical assessment.