Prevalence of Ultrasound-Detected Thyroid Abnormalities in an Apparently Healthy Volunteer Cohort from Alexandria

Assaad, Samir N.; Helal, Suzan; Abdel Wahab, Moataza; Saber, Ayat; Bondok, Maha E

doi:10.21608/zumj.2025.406863.4070

Prevalence of Ultrasound-Detected Thyroid Abnormalities in an Apparently Healthy Volunteer Cohort from Alexandria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

² Department of Pathology-University of Alexandria-Alexandria-Egypt

³ Department of Biostatics- Statistics quality control- High institute of public health-University of Alexandria-Alexandria-Egypt

⁴ Department of Internal Medicine-Faculty of Medicine-University of Alexandria-Alexandria-Egypt

⁵ University of Alexandria- Faculty of Medicine

10.21608/zumj.2025.406863.4070

Abstract

Background: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of US-detected thyroid abnormalities among a volunteer group from Alexandria with no prior history of thyroid diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional cohort included 1000 volunteer participants from the Alexandria population. Based on ultrasound (US) findings, cases were categorized as normal, diffuse non-nodular thyroid disease (NNTD), or nodular thyroid disease (NTD). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine, and tetraiodothyronine were measured in patients with US-abnormal thyroid findings. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs) were measured in cases with US features suggestive of thyroiditis and thyromegaly. Fine-needle aspiration cytology in NTD followed the ATA-2015 guidelines.

Results: Among our studied cohort, 54.3% were females, with a mean age of 24.2 ± 4.6 years. US thyroid abnormalities were detected in 197/1000 (19.7%); NTD in 68/1000 (6.8%); 129 cases had DNND; 91 cases had thyroiditis (9.1%); and 38 had homogeneous thyromegaly (3.8%). US-detected thyromegaly was found in 103 (10.3%) of 1000 cases. Differentiated thyroid cancer was identified in 5.8% of cases with NTD. TSH was higher in patients with US-detected thyroiditis than in those with NTD and homogenous thyromegaly (P =0.002). Eighty-one % of cases with thyroiditis, and 30% with homogeneous thyromegaly, tested positive for TPOAbs.

Conclusions: In this volunteer group, ultrasound detected thyroid abnormalities in nearly one-fifth of asymptomatic adults, with thyroiditis and nodular disease being the most common findings. These results provide prevalence data for an iodine-sufficient population but should not be viewed as support for routine ultrasound screening, which current guidelines, including the USPSTF, do not recommend.

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