Thyroid ultrasound alterations occurrence in patients with previous negative examination: A 6-years observational follow-up trial

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules represent a common clinical finding and their prevalence is increasing worldwide. However, the most recent international guidelines do not give indications on the need to retest adults with previous negative neck ultrasound (US). Aim: To evaluate the incidence of thyroid US abnormalities in patients with previous negative thyroid US and identify patient's characteristics able to predict the risk of developing thyroid disease.Methods: In 2011, 291 subjects were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial conducted in the Endocrine Unit of Modena to detect the prevalence of thyroid disease in adults unaware of thyroid pathology. Among these, 136 patients did not shown any US thyroid alteration. Up to now, 99 of these patients (61 females and 38 males, mean age 51±12 years) were prospectively examined with thyroid US after six years with the same US device. Each patient was further clinically evaluated, updating anamnesis, physical examination and anthropometric measurements.