Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Thyroid Nodules in Severely Obese Patients: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Thyroid, Hospital Geral de Goiânia (HGG), Brazil.

2 Instituto Federal Goiano, Brazil.

3 Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Brazil.

Abstract

Background: The association of obesity with the occurrence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer has been
demonstrated. However, there is limited knowledge on the risk factors of thyroid nodules in in severely obese patients.
The aim was to evaluate the occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese and nonobese patients and determine the
factors associated considering sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biochemical variables. Methods: This is a case-control
study of 134 adults which 67 nonobese, control group, and 67 severely obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2), case group. All
participants underwent thyroid ultrasound. Results: The occurrence of thyroid nodules in a control group was 13.4% (n
= 9), while in a case group was 29.9%, n = 20), difference statistically significant (p = 0.017). Factors associated with
the occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients were lower mean age (p = 0.022); higher economic class
(p = 0.010); nonconsumption of alcohol (p = 0.017); higher fasting glycemia (p = 0.009), fasting insulin (p = 0.001),
homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] (p = 0.045), and triglyceride (p = 0.009) mean values;
and lower vitamin D3 (p = 0.045) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.041) mean values. Conclusions:
Occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients was higher than nonobese. Lower age at diagnosis, higher
economic level, nonconsumption of alcohol, hyperinsulinemia, higher HOMA-IR scores, and lower vitamin D3 levels
were factors associated with the occurrence of thyroid nodules in severely obese patients.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 20, Issue 3
March 2019
Pages 693-697

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History

  • Receive Date: 04 November 2017
  • Revise Date: 24 December 2018
  • Accept Date: 16 February 2019

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