Evaluation of thyroid nodules in the Brazilian Public Health Care System, Supplementary Health System, and Private Health System in the northeastern region of the State of São Paulo

Abstract

Objective: To obtain data about the evaluation of thyroid nodules (TNs) in the northeastern of the State of São Paulo, compared by health care type, and measure the performance of cytology as a screening test for thyroid cancer (TC). Subjects and methods: We collected data of 597 patients treated in the Brazilian public health care system (SUS), supplementary health (SH) and in private health system (PHS) in 2014. A total of 803 TNs were aspirated, and 125 patients underwent surgery. Results: The distribution of all cytologic results according to the Bethesda system was: I, 135 (16.8%); II, 475 (59.2%); III, 107 (13.3%); IV, 32 (4.0%); V, 20 (2.5%); VI, 34 (4.2%). The time between cytologic analysis and surgery was longer in the SUS than in the SH for TNs in general (p < 0.001) and for TNs with Bethesda V and VI cytology (p = 0.01). The sizes of the TNs and resected malignant TNs was larger in the SUS than in the SH (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). The number of PHS surgeries was too small and was not compared. The prevalence of TC was 9.2% and 23.6% of them were treated in the SUS. Cytology showed a 93.6% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, and 94.7% accuracy when Bethesda III and IV were excluded. Conclusion: Cytology was a good screening test for TC categories Bethesda II, V, and VI. The differences between the SUS and SH indicate a need for improved access to consultations and specialized tests in the SUS.

Analysis of the status of treatment of benign thyroid diseases — a public health problem aggravated in the COVID-19 pandemic era

“…Based on previous studies, the prevalence of benign thyroid lesions is high at 6.4% in women and 1.5% in men, occurring in 59.2% in a Brazilian population and 15.85 patients/1000 inhabitants in Korea. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 …”