Epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of thyroid nodules in 58 094 people undergoing ultrasonography for health checkup

Abstract

Objective To analyze the epidemiology and disease characteristics of thyroid nodules in a healthy population to provide clinical assistance in diagnosis and treatment. Methods The ultrasonic testing results of 58 094 people who received health checkup at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January to December in 2018 were retrospectively collected. The pathological results and ultrasonic classification of nodules by the results of thyroid imaging report and data system (TI-RADS) were analyzed to understand the type and age distribution of thyroid nodules in Hefei area. Results A total of 24 047 cases (41.39%) of thyroid nodules were found in this research. The results showed that the prevalence of thyroid nodules increased gradually with age (χ2=2 017.00, P<0.01), the prevalence of nodules in men in all age groups were all significantly lower than those in women (all P<0.01). In different TI-RADS classifications, the proportions of left lobe, right lobe, and bilateral lobe in the diseased area were statistically significant (all P<0.01). The prevalence of TI-RADS was 17.30% (10 050/58 094), 22.70% (13 189/58 094), 1.23% (713/58 094), 0.15% (87/58 094), 0.01% (5/58 094), and 0.01% (3/58 094) for thyroid nodule types 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 5, respectively, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid nodules of different types (χ2=48 000.00, P<0.01). Three hundred and twelve patients were definitely diagnosed with carcinoma, of which 242 were benign and 70 were malignant, and the difference in the prevalence of malignancies among different TI-RADS types was statistically significant (χ2=42.79, P<0.01). Among them, papillary thyroid carcinoma accounted for 84.28% (59/70). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules is high. Age and gender are closely related to the prevalence of thyroid nodules. Key words: Thyroid nodules; Ultrasonography; Epidemiology; Prevalence rate; TI-RADS classification