J Korean Endocr Soc.  2007 Apr;22(2):112-117. 10.3803/jkes.2007.22.2.112.

Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules Detected by Ultrasonography in Adult Men Attending Health Check-ups

• Kim JH
• Park SJ
• Kim SE
• Lee KH
• Cho IK
• Jang SI
• Lee JK
• Seo KS
• Kwon HP
• Chung SC

• KMID: 1523091
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2007.22.2.112

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are a common disease in clinical practice. The prevalence of thyroid nodules has recently been increased by according to the development of thyroid ultrasonography. Thyroid nodules are more commonly found in women, but the potential for malignant nodules is much higher in men. So, we aimed to focus on the prevalence of thyroid nodules in the adult male population.
METHODS
We studied men over the age of 30 who visited our health care center for routine health check-ups from January, 2005 to December, 2005. After excluding the patients with previous thyroid disorders, 1081 men were selected to undergo thyroid ultrasonography for detecting the presence of thyroid nodules. If nodules were found, then their size and numbers were recorded. These data were then correlated with the age of the patients. If needed, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration was performed.
RESULTS
Among the 1,081 subjects, thyroid nodules were detected in 152 (14.1%) with its prevalence increasing with the increasing age of the patients (age 30 to 49: 12.3%, over 50: 17.2%, P = 0.026). Among these study subjects, nodules larger than 5 mm in size were detected in 99 patients and fine needle aspirations were performed on 53 of these patients. Six patients were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the male population was 14.1%, with an increasing prevalence in the over 50 age group.

Keyword

Men; Prevalence; Thyroid nodule; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Aspirations (Psychology)
Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Carcinoma, Papillary
Delivery of Health Care
Female
Humans
Male
Needles
Prevalence*
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Nodule*
Ultrasonography*

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