Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (May 2023)
Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Associated Clinical Characteristics: Findings from a Large Sample of People Undergoing Health Checkups at a University Hospital in Vietnam
Abstract
Nam Quang Tran,1,2 Bao Hoang Le,1 Chi Khanh Hoang,1 Huu-Thinh Nguyen,3 Truc Thanh Thai4 1Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Department of Health Checkup, University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamCorrespondence: Truc Thanh Thai, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Tel +84 908 381 266, Email [email protected]: Thyroid nodule is a common disorder normally detected by ultrasound. However, little is known about the population prevalence of thyroid nodules in a Vietnamese population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of thyroid nodules, its characteristics, and associated factors in a large number of people undergoing annual health checkups.Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, based on electronic medical records of people undergoing health checkups at the Health Checkup Department, University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City. All of the participants underwent thyroid ultrasonography, anthropometric measurements, and serum examinations.Results: A total of 16,784 participants (mean age: 40.4 ± 12.7 years, 45.1% female) were included in this study. The overall prevalence of thyroid nodules was 48.4%. The mean diameter of nodules was 7.2 ± 5.8 mm. The prevalence of nodules with malignant characteristics was 36.9%. Women had a significantly higher prevalence of thyroid nodules than men (55.2% vs 42.9%, p< 0.001). Advanced age, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly associated with thyroid nodules in both genders. In men, significant factors also included increased body mass index. In women, these included increased total cholesterol and LDLc, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia.Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of TNs in Vietnamese people undergoing general health checkups. Importantly, the proportion of TNs with malignant risk was quite high. Therefore, screening for TNs should be added to annual health checkups to improve early detection of TNs, targeting those who have a high-risk profile based on factors identified in this study.Keywords: thyroid nodules, malignant thyroid nodules, thyroid ultrasound, general health checkup
