Yuanling Tao, Chunyu Hu, Laixi Zhang, Zhen Cheng, Bing Zou, Mi Yan, Li Sun, Zongtao Chen

Health Management Centre, First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Li Sun, Email 51088031@qq.com Zongtao Chen, Email zongtaochen@126.com

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common condition with a 7– 15% likelihood of developing thyroid cancer. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in healthcare professionals is poorly understood, and how psychosomatic factors affect the occurrence of thyroid nodules is an interesting question. Therefore, the aims of this study are to explore the physiological and psychological aspects associated of thyroid nodules in healthcare professionals and establish a prediction model to provide a supportive basis for the primary prevention of thyroid nodules.
Methods: A total of 738 healthcare professionals in a tertiary general hospital were selected by convenience sampling to complete an online psychological questionnaire and physical examination (biochemical indicators, ultrasound, etc.) from February to May 2023. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors, and the prediction model was established by nomogram.
Results: A total of 406 of 738 healthcare professionals had thyroid nodules, the detection rate was 55.0%, among those detected, 24.1% were male and 75.9% were female. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed: compared with ≤ 40 years old, aged 41– 50 years old, or > 50 years old were risk factors for thyroid nodules (OR=2.071/8.034); female (OR=1.873) was also risk factor for thyroid nodules relative to male; in addition, anxiety (OR=1.105), perceived stress (OR=1.045), fatty liver (OR=2.716), TSH abnormality (OR=1.944), and ALT abnormality (OR=2.252) were also risk factors. Based on the above seven influencing factors, a nomogram was drawn and verified internally. The results showed that the area AUC under the ROC curve of the model was 0.713, and the calibration curve indicated that the model consistency was acceptable.
Conclusion: The detection rate of thyroid nodules is higher in healthcare professionals. A combination of psychological and physiological factors in TNs has a significant impact on thyroid nodules. Identifying risk factors for thyroid nodules and managing them promptly is important for the complete health of healthcare professionals.

Keywords: thyroid nodules, anxiety, perceived pressure, psychosomatic risk factors, risk prediction model, nomogram