The Spectrum of Thyroid Nodules at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

We analyzed the spectrum of thyroid nodules in patients attending the endocrinology unit care of the Kinshasa University Hospital and assessed their associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study, performing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. From the 888 enrolled patients, thyroid nodules were detected in 658 patients (74.1%), as mononodules in 22.5% and multiple nodules in 77.5%. Thyroid function was normal in 71.3% cases, while hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were found in 26.1% and 2.6% of cases, respectively. Women were more affected than men (75.1% vs. 63.6%; p = 0.03). Patients with thyroid nodules were older (44 ± 12 vs. 38 ± 12 years; p < 0.001), with a family history of goiter (38.3% vs. 27.4%; p = 0.003) and residence in the iodine-deficient region (51.7% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.012); they had a higher proportion of longer delays to consultation (47% vs. 20%; p < 0.001), but a higher rate of normal thyroid function (85.5% vs. 3 1.3%; p < 0.001). Thyroid nodules were associated with the delay to consultation (for duration ≥ three years, OR: 6.560 [95% CI: 3.525–12.208)], multiparity (present vs. absent: 2.863 [1.475–5.557]) and family history of goiter (present vs. absent: 2.086 [95% CI:1.231–3.534]) in female patients alone. The high frequency of thyroid nodules observed requires measures aimed at early detection in the population, the training of doctors involved in the management and the strengthening of technical platforms in our hospitals.

Prevalence of thyroid nodule and relationship with physiological and psychosocial factors among adults in Zhejiang Province, China: a baseline survey of a cohort study

“…Therefore, estrogen may be the cause of the higher incidence of TNs in women [ 42 ]. Since many morphological and even functional changes occur in the thyroid gland with age [ 43 ], it is not difficult to explain why the risk of thyroid nodules is positively related to age in this study. Compared with those of the 18- to 34-year-old group, the ORs of the 35- to 59-year-old group and the 60- to 69-year-old group were 1.606 and 3.060, respectively.…”

Clinical, Ultrasound and Anatomopathological Concordance of Thyroid Nodules in Kinshasa: A Cross-sectional study

“…Thyroid nodules represent a pathology with a very high prevalence since it affects approximately 15% of the world's population, with signi cant variations linked to geographical areas, environment and sex (with a proven female predominance) and age. [2]. In the United States, the prevalences observed are on average 10 to 50%; while in Germany they are 20 to 29% [3].…”