Frequency of thyroid nodules in patients with β-thalassemias in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND

Although thyroid nodules are a common finding in the general population, determining the clinically important nodules is essential. We investigated thyroid nodules or cysts by thyroid ultrasonography (US) in patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) and intermedia (β-TI). We also report a β-TI patient who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer six months before our screening.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 178 patients with β-thalassemias referred to the Thalassemia Clinic in a tertiary hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were investigated, from January to June 2016, by US.

RESULTS

Thyroid nodules or cysts were detected in 11 patients [total: 6.17 %; 8 patients with β-TM (8.2%) and 3 patients with β-TI (3.7%)]. All nodules were < 1 cm in diameter and were not suspicious of malignancy. All patients, after 1 year of thyroid US follow-up, did not show any significant change in favor of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, the frequency of thyroid nodules was similar to what was reported in the general population. However, a long-term follow-up of these patients is recommended because of the potential carcinogenic effects of iron and hepatitis C infection (HCV). To achieve more precise information, collaborative multicenter studies should be considered.