Single status shows age dependent bidirectional effects in differentiated thyroid cancer

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Social Epidemiology

Background:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) prognosis is influenced by tumor traits and social determinants like marital status.
• Understanding these social factors is crucial for comprehensive patient risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between single marital status and disease-specific survival (DSS) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
• To examine the interaction effect of single marital status and age on DTC prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 153,299 DTC cases from the SEER database (2000-2021).
• Utilized unadjusted and multivariable Cox regression, and Fine-Gray competing risk models.
• Assessed interactions between marital status and age on survival outcomes.

Main Results:

• Single patients were younger with larger tumors and advanced stages but more favorable overall TNM stages.
• Unadjusted analysis showed a protective effect of single status, which reversed after adjustment (HR 1.32).
• Age significantly modified the effect: protective in patients <55 years, detrimental in those ≥55 years.

Conclusions:

• Single marital status has an age-dependent impact on differentiated thyroid cancer prognosis.
• This age interaction warrants consideration in clinical risk assessment and management strategies for DTC patients.