title: Association between lifestyle and anthropometric parameters and thyroid nodule features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thyroid nodularity has been associated with obesity, but data regarding associations of body composition parameters with specific ultrasound features of thyroid nodules are lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess associations between thyroid nodule ultrasound characteristics, lifestyle, and anthropometric parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study in the general apparently healthy population of Northern Greece. Thyroid ultrasound data together with medical history, demographic, and anthropometric characteristics were individually recorded. Body composition was evaluated using bioelectrical impedance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and six subjects [215 females (70.3%), aged 20-83 years] were included. Ultrasound revealed one or more thyroid nodules in 168 subjects (54.9%). Subjects with thyroid nodules were more frequently females (p = 0.033), older (p < 0.001) and had higher fat mass (p = 0.011), total body fat percentage (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p = 0.045) than subjects without nodules. In logistic regression analyses, age and female gender were the only independent predictors of presence of thyroid nodules, as well as specific sonographic features. Additionally, total body fat percentage was positively correlated with nodule size (rho = 0.210, p = 0.006) and was the only independent predictor of hypoechoic thyroid nodule(s) and peripheral vascularity, while lack of exercise was predictive of internal vascularity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Body fat accumulation and lack of exercise, used as surrogate markers of sedentary lifestyle, influence thyroid nodule size and could predict some ultrasonographic characteristics, like hypoechoicity and internal vascularity. Therefore, routine thyroid examination of obese patients and promotion of active lifestyle may be warranted to prevent thyroid nodule formation and possibly progression to malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Panagiotou
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Komninou
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anagnostis
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Linardos
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karoglou
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Somali
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Leonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duntas
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tziomalos
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. kpazaitoupanayiotou@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pazaitou-Panayiotou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Epidemiology; Obesity; Sedentary lifestyle; Thyroid nodules; Ultrasound