J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Dec;28(12):1734-1740. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.12.1734.

The Association Between the Socioeconomic Status and Thyroid Cancer Prevalence; Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011

• Choi SW
• Ryu SY
• Han MA
• Park J

• KMID: 1779413
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.12.1734

Abstract

The incidence of thyroid cancer has recently increased in most industrialized countries, including Korea. To date, few studies have examined the association between thyroid cancer and socioeconomic status (SES). The current study was based on data collected from a total of 12,276 subjects (5,277 men and 6,999 women) by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2010 and 2011. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (odds ration [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.05), being female (OR, 8.16; 95%CI, 2.99-22.24), being overweight (OR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.01-1.06), monthly household income (OR, 3.27; 95%CI, 1.16-9.20 for medium-highest household income vs lowest household income; OR, 3.30; 95%CI, 1.16-9.34 for highest household income vs lowest household income), educational level (OR, 2.74; 95%CI, 1.16-6.46 for 10-12 yr vs < 7 yr) and alcohol consumption (OR, 1.89; 95%CI 1.08-3.32) were significant risk factors for thyroid cancer. Our results indicate that the recent increase in thyroid cancer is attributable to better early detection rather than to any increase in actual prevalence.

Keyword

Social Class; Thyroid Neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Alcohol Drinking
Demography
Female
Humans
Income
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
*Nutrition Surveys
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Thyroid Neoplasms/economics/*epidemiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The percentage of thyroid cancer patients according to the monthly household income.

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  Fig. 2 The percentage of thyroid cancer patients according to the education level.

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