title: Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Goiter in Middle-Aged Euthyroid Subjects.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine associations of thyroid hormone levels and different metabolic parameters and anthropometric measurements with volume of nodular and nonnodular thyroid as well as with prevalence of goiter and thyroid nodules in middle-aged euthyroid subjects.Methods. The study consisted of 317 euthyroid subjects aged 48-49 from the Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort study. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and antithyroid peroxidase antibody (ATPO) levels, as well as anthropometric and metabolic parameters and smoking information, were evaluated.Results. In subjects with and without thyroid nodules, thyroid volume correlated with components of metabolic syndrome, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and TSH levels. In the nonnodular thyroid group, thyroid volume was also positively related to serum insulin and HOMA-IR, whereas a negative correlation between thyroid volume and leptin was identified in the nodular thyroid group. The goiter was identified in 12.3% of subjects. Female gender, thyroid nodules, smoking, BMI, and levels of TSH were independent predictors for goiter. Thyroid nodules were found in 31.2% of participants. Female gender, higher TSH levels, and thyroid volume were independent risk factors for thyroid nodules.Conclusions. Female gender, thyroid nodules, smoking, BMI, and TSH levels were identified as potential predictors of goiter. Female gender, TSH levels, and thyroid volume predicted the presence of thyroid nodules.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8313-8862
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dauksiene
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Janina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3953-8655
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petkeviciene
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jurate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klumbiene
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Rasa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verkauskiene
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vainikonyte-Kristapone
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Audrone
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seibokaite
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ceponis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Vygantas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sidlauskas
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daugintyte-Petrusiene
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Antanas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norkus
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Birute
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4082-4843
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zilaitiene