Comparative analysis of clinical data among 385 postoperative patients with thyroid benign and malignant nodules

Objective To analyze the clinical features of 385 postoperative thyroid nodules patients,and to compare the correlation affected by different factors between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Total 385 patients underwent thyroid operation in general surgery department of our hospital were enrolled.Their clinical data,ultrasonic scanning of thyroid,and pathological results were compared between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Results (1)264 cases with benign nodules (68.57％) and 121 cases with malignant nodules (31.43 ％)were found among 385 cases.The average age of benign group was (48.1 ± 13.4) years old,while malignant nodules group was (45.6 ± 12.5) years old.(2) No gender difference was found between benign and malignant nodules group (P＞0.05).(3) According to body mass index (BMI),the highest prevalence of malignant nodules was in overweight group,followed by obesity group.(4) Fasting blood glucose was (5.61 ± 1.07) mmol/L in benign group and (5.86±1.21) mmol/L in malignant group(P＜0.05).(5) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in benign nodules group was (1.62 ± 1.30) mIU/L,while in malignant nodules group,which was (2.02 ±2.59) mIU/L(P＜0.05).(6) Irregular shape,unclear boundary,calcification,and lymph node metastasis were more frequent in malignant group than those in benign group under ultrasonic scanning (P＜0.05).(7) Logistic regression analysis revealed that the existence of thyroid cancer was significantly associated with age,fasting blood glucose,ultrasonic images(lymph node metastasis,irregular shape,and calcification).Conclusion (1) Fasting blood glucose levels and TSH in the malignant nodules group are higher than those in the benign group.(2) A negative correlation exists between age and thyroid cancer prevalence.(3) Ultrasonic images,including lymph node metastasis,irregular nodule shape,and calcification,may suggest the high possibility of thyroid cancer. Key words: Thyroid cancer; Age; Blood glucose; Thyroid-stimulating hormone; Ultrasound