AimAnnual T1 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) incidence rates continue to rise, yet the optimal treatment for this cancer type remains controversial. Central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is a critical determinant in the context of treatment decision-making. While several prior studies have evaluated patients with clinica l T1a(cT1a) stage PTC, there have been fewer analyses of clinical T1b(cT1b) disease to date. The present study was thus formulated to explore predictors of CLNM in patients with cT1a and cT1b stage PTC.MethodsA retrospective analysis of data including clinicopathological characteristics and BRAFV600E mutation status was conducted for 452 PTC patients undergoing surgical treatment. Logistic univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with CLNM in particular patients’ characteristics and the accuracy of the established logistic regression models was evaluated using the R software platform.ResultsRespective CLNM incidence rates in cT1a and cT1b disease were 39.39% and 67.21%. Factors associated with a higher risk of CLNM among PTC(cT1a) patients included male sex, young age, tumor size, contact with capsule, and multifocality as determined through comparisons of the area under the curve for logistic regression models. Whereas male sex and age were associated with CLNM risk in PTC(cT1b) patients in univariate and multivariate analyses, age was the only risk factor associated with CLNM incidence among women with PTC(cT1b).ConclusionPredictors of CLNM differ between PTC patients with cT1a and cT1b stage disease, and a comprehensive assessment of these risk factors should thus be conducted when designing individualized treatment regimens for PTC patients.