Korean J Fam Pract.  2022 Sep;12(4):268-273. 10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.4.268.

Relationship between the Thyroid Nodules and Metabolic Syndrome in Healthy Adults: Using Health Examination Data at One Medical Institution’s Health Examination Center (2020)

• Kim S
• Cho YJ
• Shin HS
• Oh JE
• Hong SH
• Yoo BW
• Joe H
• Shin KS
• Son DY

• KMID: 2533240
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.4.268

Abstract

Background
Thyroid nodules and metabolic syndrome are common diseases with high prevalence rates. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between thyroid nodules and metabolic syndrome and its components among healthy Koreans.
Methods
We reviewed the records of 1,695 subjects with no noticeable symptoms who underwent thyroid ultrasound imaging as part of a routine check-up between January and December 2020. For subjects with and without thyroid nodules, the difference between metabolic components was analyzed via chi-square and independent t-tests. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components and thyroid nodules was evaluated through multivariate logistic regression.
Results
Of the 1,695 subjects, 489 (28.8%) had thyroid nodules and 491 (29.0%) had metabolic syndrome. Advanced age, high body mass index, large waist circumference, high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high glycated hemoglobin level, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and high fT4 and low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were closely related to the presence of thyroid nodules (P<0.05). The prevalence of thyroid nodules was significantly higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that waist circumference among components of metabolic syndrome was a statistically significant risk factor (odds ratio, 1.028; 95% confidence interval, 1.014–1.041); P<0.001). Other factors predicting the presence of thyroid nodule included age, being female, and TSH (P<0.05).
Conclusion
This study suggests that metabolic syndrome and its components are positively associated with thyroid nodules in healthy adults with no history of thyroid disease.

Keyword

Thyroid Nodule; Metabolic Syndrome; Waist Circumference; Risk Factor