Ann Surg Treat Res.  2016 Jun;90(6):297-302. 10.4174/astr.2016.90.6.297.

An online questionnaire survey on preferred timing for the diagnosis and management of thyroid carcinoma in general population in Korea

• Park JW
• Yoo JS
• Yun JK
• Kim BH
• Noh YW
• Kim DJ

• KMID: 2164789
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2016.90.6.297

Abstract

PURPOSE
An optimal timing for diagnosis and management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has become the subject for much controversy. The aim of the present study is to analyze people's preference in Korea for timing of diagnosis and management of PTMC using an online questionnaire.
METHODS
The questionnaire consists of 3 questions about preference for the diagnosis and management of PTMC and 3 additional questions about respondents' personal information. An online survey was conducted from March 3 to June 3 in 2015 using Google Survey (http://goo.gl/forms/b81yEjqNUA).
RESULTS
A total 2,308 persons (1,246 males, 1,053 females) answered the questionnaire. Respondents' ages varied widely from teenagers to 70-year-olds. If there was a suspicious thyroid nodule from PTMC measuring less than 1 cm in diameter, 95.7% of respondents want to know a cytological diagnosis for it. If a thyroid nodule turned out to be a PTMC, 59.5% of respondents wanted it removed immediately. For surgical management of PTMC, 53.0% of respondents were worried more about recurrences than complications. In subgroup analyses, respondents younger than 40 years old more often want immediate surgery than others: 66.7% vs. 32.7% (P < 0.05). Respondents who underwent thyroid cancer surgery (n = 91) were worried more about recurrences than others: 69.2% vs. 52.4% (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Almost all respondents in the present study wanted diagnosis of suspicious thyroid nodules immediately. However, there were opposing opinions about the preferred timing for surgical treatment and surgical extents. A patient's right to know their disease status and decision on treatments should be emphasized all the more.

Keyword

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; Surveys and questionnaires; Thyroid nodule; Diagnosis; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Aged
Diagnosis*
Humans
Korea*
Male
Patient Rights
Recurrence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Thyroid Nodule

Figure

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  Fig. 1 An online questionnaire displayed on a computer and a smartphone screen.

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  Fig. 2 Age distribution of respondents.

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  Fig. 3 Decision making for management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (questionnaire Q1) according to age groups.

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  Fig. 4 Decision making for suspicious thyroid nodule(s) (questionnaire Q2).

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  Fig. 5 Decision making for operative extent for papillary thyroid carcinoma (questionnaire Q3).

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