Adiposity is associated with a higher number of thyroid nodules and worse FNA outcomes.

Abstract

Adiposity may be associated with thyroid nodularity. However, its impact on the number of nodules and the risk of malignancy is unclear. To evaluate the impact of adiposity on thyroid nodules using Body Mass Index (BMI), ultrasonographic (US) and cytological data. A retrospective cohort study of 310 patients with thyroid nodules was performed. Patients were categorized based on their BMI, and grayscale US data and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology results were evaluated. Patients with BMI ≥25 Kg/ m² were found to have a higher number of thyroid nodules compared to those with BMI <25 Kg/ m² (4.25 ±2.42 vs. 3.66 ± 1.93) (P value=0.05). Patients with BMI ≥25 Kg/ m² had more suspicious and malignant cytology than those with BMI <25 Kg/ m² (P value = 0.029). Patients with BMI ≥25 Kg/m² had more nodules with intermediate and high suspicion sonographic patterns. However, this did not reach statistical significance. Overweight and obese patients have a trend for more thyroid nodules and have a higher risk of being diagnosed with thyroid malignancy.