Increased Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules Across Nearly 10 Years in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether the prevalence of thyroid nodules (TNs) increased due to modern lifestyles or other factors, despite the advances in screening and diagnostic tools.

Methods

This study included 3474 pairs of participants, who were matched by gender and age (±3 years) from two cross-sectional sampling surveys: (1) the program on the iodine nutritional status and related health status of residents in Shanghai in 2009; (2) the thyroid disease screening program for adults in Shanghai between 2017 and 2018. The prevalence of TNs and thyroid diseases in 2009 and 2017–2018 were compared, and the potential risk factors of TNs were detected.

Results

The prevalence of TNs in 2009 was 28.9%: 22.5% in males and 34.5% in females. In 2017, this increased to 43.8%: 37.9% in males and 49.1% in females. The prevalence of TNs significantly increased from 2009 to 2017 (odds ratio, 1.486; 95% confidence interval, 1.238–1.786). In addition, female gender, thyroid disease history, and age were the main risk factors for TNs after adjusting for confounders in the logistic regression across the time period.

Conclusion

The prevalence of TNs significantly increased across nearly 10 years in Shanghai.

Keywords

thyroid nodules / prevalence / period difference / detection technology / thyroid disease

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