Ethnic disparities for thyroid surgery

Significant health disparities exist between Māori and non-Māori patients in New Zealand. Māori patients treated medically for their thyroid disease are less likely to be euthyroid. The prevalence of thyroid disease and characteristics of Māori presenting for thyroid surgery has not been well studied. We aim to assess the differences in ethnic representation for thyroid surgery.

A retrospective analysis of cases performed between 2009 and 2019 at the Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Department in Waikato District Health Board (DHB) was completed. All patients who received a thyroid operation were included and divided into Māori and non-Māori groups. Clinical and operation notes were reviewed and the duration of presenting symptoms, weight, volume and diagnosis of the thyroid gland were assessed.

A total of 93 patients were included in our study, of whom 71 patients were female and 22 male with 37 being Māori and 56 non-Māori. Māori patients had significantly higher rates of retrosternal extension, compressive symptoms, post-operative complications, delayed presentation and larger thyroid goitres when compared to non-Māori (P < 0.05).

Our study confirms that there is a significant ethnic disparity for Māori patients requiring thyroid surgery. This highlights an additional poor health outcome for Māori compared to non-Māori patients.