EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE NODULES OF THE THYROID GLAND IN ALBANIA

Abstract

Background : Our aim was to describe the socio-demographic factors and selected clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with nodules of the thyroid gland in Albania, a former communist country in the Western Balkans which is currently undergoing a rapid transformation and deep reforms. Methods : A case-series study was conducted in Tirana during the period September 2016 – September 2017 including 212 patients examined at the Center of Nuclear Medicine of the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Based on clinical indications, all the patients underwent scintigraphy, FNA-cytology and a histo-pathological examination of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, other useful clinical data and socio-demographic information was collected. Results : 32 (15.1%) patients were men and 180 (84.9) were women. The overall mean age was 51.2±13.6 years. Mean age was significantly higher in men compared to women (55.3±15.6 years vs. 50.5±13.2 years, respectively; P=0.016). Overall, 80 (37.7%) of participants were born in Tirana, and 113 (53.3%) of individuals were currently residing in Tirana. The overall prevalence of preexisting conditions was 33.2%. It was significantly higher in men than in women (56.3% vs. 29.1%, respectively; P=0.004). Among individuals who had evidence of preexisting diseases, 74.3% of them had cardiovascular diseases and 25.7% had diabetes. A positive family history of nodules of the thyroid gland was more prevalent in women than in men (40.0% vs. 18.8%, respectively; P=0.028). Conclusion : This study provides useful evidence on the distribution of socio-demographic factors and clinical characteristics in Albanian patients with nodules of the thyroid gland. Keywords: Albania, endocrinology, nodules, thyroid gland