The Association of Thyroid Nodules with Metabolic Status: A Cross-Sectional SPECT-China Study

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of thyroid nodules (TNs) and their ultrasound (US) characteristics related to malignancy with metabolic status.

The data were obtained from a cross-sectional study (SPECT-China, 2014-2015). The study included 9898 participants older than 18 years. Participants underwent several checkups, which included the measurement of anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, TSH levels, glucose, and lipid profiles. TN and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were diagnosed by US. TN US characteristics, including microcalcification and a taller-than-wide shape, were recorded.

Participants with TN [TN(+)] had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Met-S), obesity, central obesity, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, hypertension, and NAFLD, especially women (all P ≤ 0.001). After full adjustment, logistic regression analysis indicated that metabolic syndrome, obesity, central obesity, and hyperlipidaemia were all independent risk factors for the increased prevalence of TN in both genders (P < 0.05). In terms of TN US imaging characteristics associated with malignancy, being female with obesity, central obesity, and NAFLD had 1.91-fold, 2.09-fold, and 1.75-fold increased risks of developing a taller-than-wide nodule (P = 0.014, 0.004, and 0.027, resp.).

The status of metabolic disorders might be associated with higher risks of TN in both genders. In women, obesity, central obesity, and NAFLD might contribute to the development of a taller-than-wide nodule. The potential role of metabolic status in the pathogenesis of the thyroid nodule and thyroid cancer remains to be elucidated.