ObjectiveThyroid nodules are an exceptionally common thyroid disorder. Past studies suggested a possible link between thyroid diseases and breast neoplasms. However, few studies have delved into the causal relationship between thyroid nodules and breast neoplasms. This study conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to further investigate the causal relationship between them. MethodsThis study was conducted using data sourced from genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets. The study focused on thyroid nodules, benign breast tumors, and malignant breast cancers as the research objects, and relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs). The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) was primarily used to assess the causal relationship between thyroid nodules and breast neoplasms. Cochran’s Q test was employed to detect heterogeneity, while MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO were used to test for pleiotropy. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method. ResultsThere was a significant causal relationship between thyroid nodules and malignant neoplasm of breast (OR=0.88, 95%CI 0.83 to 0.95, P<0.01), with no evidence of reverse causality between them (OR=1.01, 95%CI 0.99 to 1.03, P=0.16). No causal relationship was found between thyroid nodules and benign neoplasm of breast, as indicated by both forward MR analysis (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.89 to 1.06, P=0.51) and reverse MR analysis (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.92 to 1.04, P=0.40). Sensitivity analyses suggested that the study findings were accurate and reliable. ConclusionThe present study identifies thyroid nodules as a potential protective factor for malignant neoplasm of breast.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of the size of thyroid nodules on the diagnostic rate of ultrasound guided aspiration cytology (US-FNAB). MethodsThe data of 1 142 (performed by two doctors, 571 each) thyroid nodules between March 2011 and April 2014 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Yields of US-FNAB were divided into two levels of adequacy and inadequacy according to the classification standard of the Bethesda system. The thyroid nodules were classified into five groups according to the largest diameter:≤5 mm group, 5-10 mm group,10-20 mm group, 20-30 mm group, and <30 mm group. According to the grouping of the nodules and the efficiency of US-FNAB drawed curve, the adequacy rates of alone and total of two examiners in each group were analyzed, respectively. ResultsThe adequacy rates of US-FNAB of alone and total of two examiners in≤5 mm group, 5-10 mm group,10-20 mm group, 20-30 mm group, and <30 mm group was 68.42%, 83.72%, 86.08%, 84.62%, and 73.53% (examiner 1); 68.75%, 70.53%, 81.05%, 86.15%, and 73.91% (examiner 2); 68.59%, 77.53%, 83.59%, 85.47%, and 73.75% (total of two examiners), respectively. The total adequacy rate of US-FNAB of two examiners in≤5 mm group was lower than that in 10-20 mm group (P<0.001) and 20-30 mm group (P=0.001). The adequacy rate of US-FNAB of examiner 1 in 5-10 mm group was higher than that examiner 2 (P=0.001). ConclusionsThe size of thyroid nodules significantly influences the adequate diagnostic rate of US-FNAB. The adequacy rates of US-FNAB of the largest diameter≤5 mm or <3mm were lower. The low adequacy rate of US-FNAB may be associated with cystic degeneration in the larger nodules.
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and its influencing factors among medical staff of a hospital in Hengshui. MethodsA total of 2 190 medical workers in a hospital in Hengshui who underwent physical examinations in the Medical Examination Center of Harrison International Peace Hospital from January 2012 to July 2013 were included as the study subjects. Through physical examination, thyroid ultrasonography and questionnaire, we collected data and investigated the prevalence of thyroid nodules and its influencing factors. ResultsThe prevalence rate of thyroid nodules was 39.45% (864/2 190) in these medical staff. The prevalence rates of thyroid nodules in males and females were 32.34% (238/736) and 42.92% (624/1 454), respectively, with statistically significant difference between them (χ2=22.913, P<0.001). With increasing age, the prevalence of thyroid nodules increased gradually, and the prevalence of the same sex increased gradually too (P<0.001). The prevalence rate of women was significantly higher than that of men for each age group (P<0.05). Among the 864 subjects, there were 550 (63.66%) with multiple nodules and 314 (36.34%) with solitary nodules; there were 454 (52.55%) with nodules in both lobes of thyroid, 238 (27.54%) with nodules in the right lobe of thyroid, and 172 (19.91%) with nodules in the left lobe of thyroid; there were 504 (58.33%) with solid modules, 172 (19.91%) with cystic nodules, 114 (13.19%) with solid and cystic nodules, and 74 (8.56%) with calcification. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, educational degree, drinking history, taste habit, stress, agitation were correlated with the development of thyroid nodules. ConclusionThe prevalence of thyroid nodules is high among medical staff of this hospital. Thyroid nodules can be prevented through healthy lifestyle, limiting alcohol intake, emotional control, and relieving stress. Early diagnosis and early treatment should be done to prevent the development and spread of thyroid nodules.
ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic accuracy, sampling satisfaction, and safety of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) for thyroid nodules.MethodsThe databases of PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, and CBM were searched to collect the relevant studies on the diagnostic performance, sampling satisfaction, and safety of ultrasound-guided CNB and FNA for thyroid nodules. Revman 5.3 and Stata 15 software were used for meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 24 studies involving 25 388 patients were included. Meta analysis showed that: compared with CNB, FNA had poor diagnostic accuracy ［OR=0.26, 95%CI (0.15, 0.46), P<0.000 01］, poor sampling satisfaction ［OR=0.20, 95%CI (0.12, 0.33), P<0.000 01］, lower incidence of total complications ［OR=0.28, 95%CI (0.16, 0.50), P<0.000 1］, and lower incidence of bleeding after biopsy ［OR=0.62, 95%CI (0.48, 0.81), P=0.000 3］. However, there was no significant difference in the pain score ［WMD=–0.21, 95%CI (–0.57, 0.15), P=0.26］ between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the accuracy of biopsy diagnosis of thyroid nodules with diameter less than 10 mm between the two groups ［OR=0.52, 95%CI (0.15, 1.81), P=0.30］, however, the accuracy of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules with diameter ≥ 10 mm was still better than FNA ［OR=0.26, 95%CI (0.12, 0.56), P=0.000 5］.ConclusionsCompared with FNA, ultrasound-guided CNB has a certain advantages in sampling satisfaction and the diagnosis accuracy of thyroid nodules with diameter ≥ 10 mm. CNB is better than FNA, but will bring higher risk of complication.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of short-axis and long-axis punctures of thyroid nodules on the diagnostic rate of ultrasound guided aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 2 686 thyroid nodule patients who underwent US-FNAB between March 2011 and November 2014. The US-FNAB was performed by 5 beginners (571 each for Dr1-Dr4 and 402 for Dr5). Yields of US-FNAB were divided into two levels according to the classification standard of the Bethesda system:adequacy and inadequacy. Short-axis puncture technique was used by Dr2 and long-axis puncture was performed by the others. According to chronological sequence of thyroid nodules examined, we compared the inadequate diagnostic rate between Dr2 and the others for the first 200 cases and the last 200 cases, respectively. The inadequate diagnostic rate was compared among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the first 200 cases and the last 200 cases, respectively. ResultsThe inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr2 was higher than that for Dr1, Dr3, Dr4 and Dr5 in the first 200 cases, with statistical significance (P=0.036,<0.001,=0.007 and <0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in inadequate diagnostic rate among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the first 200 cases (P=0.033, 0.551, 0.011, 0.122, 0.672 and 0.050). The inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr2 was higher than that for Dr5 and lower than that for Dr4 in the last 200 cases with statistical significance (P=0.027 and 0.003, respectively). The inadequacy rate of US-FNAB for Dr5 was lower than that for Dr3 (P=0.005) and Dr4 (P<0.001) among the 4 doctors who used long-axis punctures for the last 200 cases. ConclusionFor beginners, the inadequacy rate of short-axis puncture is higher than long-axis puncture. We suggest beginners learn long-axis puncture method. There is no significant difference in inadequate diagnostic rate among short-axis and long-axis punctures, when the number of operated cases reaches 200. At this point, the operator can choose either way to puncture according to the disease condition or personal interests.