The course of thyroid nodules and thyroid volume over a time period of up to 10 years: a longitudinal analysis of a population-based cohort

Abstract

Thyroid disorders are common. Information on long-term progression of morphologic disorders are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the course of thyroid nodules and volume over a period of up to ten years. Data from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania were used for longitudinal analysis of 10 years, on average. Billing data from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians were matched to the data to exclude participants with thyroid surgery, radioiodine therapy and thyroid carcinoma. Changes in number and size of thyroid nodules and thyroid volume were observed using ultrasound. A total of 1270 participants were included (53% female, median age at baseline 51 years). The proportion of subjects with at least one thyroid nodule increased from 34.9% to 47.5% after 10-years. The majority of participants had unchanged or reduced number of nodules. About one quarter had at least one nodule size ≥ 1cm. The proportion of participants with goitre increased from 35% to 37% after 10 years. Nevertheless, individual thyroid volume increased by < 1 ml (95% CI 0.38-3.66) after adjusting for age and BMI irrespective of thyroid medication. Thyroid nodules and goitre are common. After 10 years, the number of nodules did not increase in about 70%. This proportion did not differ substantially when excluding persons with thyroid medication. Thyroid volume increased slightly over the follow up period. These changes do not seem clinically relevant. Our results support a more restrictive approach regarding follow-up diagnostics in asymptomatic patients with thyroid nodules or minimally enlarged thyroid.

Consequences of early thyroid ultrasound on subsequent tests, morbidity and costs: an explorative analysis of routine health data from German ambulatory care

“…In line with other studies our results support the fact that inappropriate use of diagnostic tests is widespread and is likely to trigger subsequent cascades of further tests and treatments 40 41 56. Routine data make it possible to accurately estimate the frequency of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and relate them to diagnoses, costs and socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers and patients.…”

Establishment and validation of a multivariate logistic model for risk factors of thyroid nodules using lasso regression screening

“…Approximately 10-15% of thyroid nodules are malignant, signifying the presence of thyroid cancer (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). The incidence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer has gradually increased over the past three decades (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). This increase may be attributed to advances in diagnostic tools, including high-resolution ultrasound and computerized tomography scans (12)(13)(14).…”