Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The coexistence of thyroid nodules and autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) has been widely reported. The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of thyroid nodules associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Sibiu county is a well known mild iodine deficiency area from Romania.

Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 600 patients (25–79 years) with autoimmune thyroiditis in University County Hospital in last 2 years (2008–2010). We recorded clinical, ultrasonographic, histopathological and laboratory features of these patients.

Results: The frequency of thyroid nodules was statistically significantly higher at women (95%) than in men (5%), with a maximum for the group with age between 40 and 60 years. The incidence of thyroid nodules was higher at patients from urban residence (61.9%). Our study show a incidence of nodules about 39.47% from subjects with autoimmune thyroid disease. 16.66% from this pacient had a level of TPO between 101 and 200 IU/ml and 13.33% between 1000 and 2000 IU/ml. The TSH was high in 33.33%, low in 19.60% and normal in 47.05% from our patients. The ultrasonographyc thyroid volume was higher than normal value in 55% patient. FNAB was performed in 34% of the patient. The results of the cytological examination were: non-diagnostic cytology, benign, malignant and indeterminate in 19.5, 73.8, 2.2 and 4.5% of the nodules, respectively.

Conclusions: The incidence of thyroid nodules in patients with ATD was high. So, in Sibiu county is important to evaluate completely the nodular goite, based on the fact this area is known as one with mild iodine deficiency.