To study the status of iodized salt consumption, iodine nutrition and thyroid nodules among adults in Wuhan City, so as to provide a basis for continuing implement the salt iodization policy in Wuhan City.

From 2019 to 2021, a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used in 13 districts of Wuhan City. Two communities or townships were selected from each district, and 100 permanent residents over 16 years old were selected from each community or township. Household salt samples and individual random urine samples were collected. Physical examination, salt iodine test, urinary iodine test and thyroid ultrasound examination were performed.

A total of 2 578 permanent residents over 16 years old in Wuhan City were surveyed, with an iodized salt coverage rate of 92.09% (2 374/2 578) and a qualified iodized salt consumption rate of 86.11% (2 220/2 578). The median adult urinary iodine was 185.32 μg/L. The detection rate of thyroid nodules was 35.49% (915/2 578). The detection rate of thyroid nodules was significantly lower in males than in females (χ² = 62.43, P < 0.001), with a trend of increasing with age (χ²_trend = 91.83, P < 0.001), with a lower detection rate in central urban areas than in remote urban areas (χ² = 23.17, P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the iodine content of edible salt, iodized salt coverage rate, qualified iodized salt consumption rate, and urinary iodine content between adults with and without thyroid nodule, as well as between the single nodule group and the multiple nodule group (P > 0.05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, there was no correlation between the detection rate of thyroid nodules and the iodine content in edible salt and urine (r = - 0.012, 0.017, P > 0.05).

After the salt industry reform, the qualified iodized salt consumption rate among adults in Wuhan City has slightly decreased, and the iodine nutritional status is at an appropriate level. The prevalence of thyroid nodules is relatively high, and increases with age, which is higher in females than in males. Iodine nutrition and iodized salt consumption are not found to be associated with thyroid nodules.

Iodine; Salts; Nutrition; Thyroid nodules; Adult