Epidemiological Survey of Thyroid Nodules in 2098 Patients for Routine Physical Examination in Fujian, China

The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence, ultrasound manifestations, and signs of thyroid nodules (thyroid nodules, TNS) in the healthy population, in order to provide a basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, and health education for clinical prevention of thyroid diseases.

The data of 2098 physical examination clients who underwent thyroid color Doppler ultrasound examination at our hospital's physical examination center from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, were randomly selected, and the prevalence, size, nature, number, and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) classification of the thyroid nodules were statistically analyzed.

Of the 2098 results analyzed, 992 cases (47.28%) had thyroid nodules; 327 (15.59%) males and 665 (31.70%) females. The prevalence among females was significantly higher than that among males (p < 0.01), and the prevalence increased with age (p < 0.05). The composition ratios of multiple nodules and single nodules in each age group were compared, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Detected thyroid nodules were mainly solid, and they were significantly different compared to the cystic and mixed nodules (p < 0.01). The actual classification in our study is consistent with the theory of TI-RADS1∼5 classification.

In conclusion, to sum up, thyroid color Doppler ultrasonography is very important for screening thyroid nodules in healthy people during routine physical examination, especially in high-pressure and high-intensity working environment, post-menopausal women, and men with family members with a history of thyroid cancer. Therefore, high-risk groups are encouraged to have regular thyroid ultrasonography, while health care workers are encouraged to publicize the risk factors of thyroid nodules and the importance of routine thyroid ultrasound examination.