Background: Thyroid nodules are commonly found by screening, and the clinical implications are unclear. Methods: We retrospectively studied 460 patients who were evaluated for thyroid nodules. Medical records were queried to determine how the nodules were detected. We compared the rates of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and malignancy between nodules detected clinically, incidentally on imaging, or by screening. Results: Nodules were detected clinically in 184 patients (40%), incidentally in 121 patients (26%), and by screening in 155 patients (34%). The rates of FNA and malignancy were lower for patients with nodules detected by screening (28% and 1%, respectively), compared to patients with clinically apparent nodules (75% and 15%) and patients with incidental nodules (69% and 8% [P < .001]). Conclusion: Thyroid nodules detected via screening has a lower rate of FNA and is less likely to be diagnosed as a malignancy compared to nodules detected clinically or incidentally on imaging. Thyroid ultrasound examinations should be reserved for nodules that are clinically apparent or to evaluate nodules found incidentally on imaging.

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Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are high in persons with severe mental illness. Psychotropic medications, particularly second-generation antipsychotics (SGA), and also adverse health behaviors are mediators of adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in persons with severe mental illness. Identifying and addressing specific risk factors early and aggressively is key to improving health outcomes in these patients; yet studies addressing the above problems are limited. We therefore evaluated 39 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar disorder on SGA in a comprehensive cardiometabolic, lifestyle, and mental health screening program. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. As previously reported, the majority of screened patients had prediabetes (PD) or diabetes mellitus (DM), 74% per oral Glucose Tolerance Testing (oGTT), 56% per HbA1c criteria. Pulse rates, insulin resistance indices (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, HOMA IR, and Matsuda) were significantly different between patients classified as normal or with PD/DM, using either oGTT or HbA1c criteria. However, patients with PD/DM per HbA1c, but not oGTT criterium, also had higher waist/hip ratios (p=0.01), triglyceride (p=0.01) and hsCRP levels (p=0.04) as well as lower HDL levels (p=0.04). We then determined whether dietary habits (by UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire, UKDDQ), mood (by Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and/or physical activity (average daily step count) were associated with unfavorable, and potentially modifiable cardiometabolic biomarkers (fasting, 2h-oGTT plasma glucose, serum insulin, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, HbA1c, hsCRP and adiponectin). We find that fasting plasma glucose and triglyceride levels significantly correlated with UKDDQ scores (fasting plasma glucose: r=0.34, p=0.03, fasting triglyceride levels: r=0.37, p=0.02); a trend was observed for higher insulin resistance indices (HOMA IR) being associated with higher UKDDQ scores (r=0.31, p=0.06). We also confirm a strong negative correlation of the average daily step count with hsCRP levels (r=-0.62, p&lt;0.0001). PHQ-9 scores negatively correlated with adiponectin levels (r=-0.475, p&lt;0.005). Altogether, in our patient population with severe mental illness on SGA, unhealthy diet habits, low physical activity, and symptoms of depression were associated with higher fasting glucose and triglycerides, higher hsCRP and lower adiponectin levels, all of which may potentially contribute to adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. Future studies should assess the impact of specifically tailored individual lifestyle counseling and medical management interventions in this high-risk patient population. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2022 1:06 p.m. - 1:11 p.m.

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