Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and diffuse thyroid lesions in medical staff.

Methods A total of 2 634 medical staff who had thyroid ultrasound examination in the Health Screening Center of the General Hospital of Western Theater from September to November 2020 were included. Afetr twenty-three subjects with previous thyroid surgery history were excluded, a total of 2 611 subjects were included in the study, including 1 109 males and 1 502 females, aged 15-99 years, with an average age of (39.6 ±17.0) years. According to the age, the subjects were divided into < 36 years old (n=1 494), 36-45 years old (n=557), 46-55 years old (n=252), 56-65 years old (n=88), and >65 years old (n=220) groups. The detection rates and quality of thyroid nodules in different age and sex subjects were analyzed, and the incidence of diffuse thyroid lesions was analyzed.

Results A total of 582 thyroid nodule patients were diagnosed in 2 611 medical staff, including 290 males and 292 females. The detection rate of thyroid nodule in men was significantly higher than that in women (26.15% vs 19.44%, P < 0.001). In < 36 years old group, the detection rate of thyroid nodule in females was significantly higher than that in males (13.62% vs 7.82%, P=0.002). The incidence of thyroid nodule increased with age, and it was was highest with 63.18% in the >65 years old group. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of suspected malignant nodule between male and female in different age groups. There were 73 cases of diffuse thyroid disease patients, the total detection rate was 2.80%, including 17 males, 56 females. The detection rate of diffuse thyroid disease in females was significantly higher than that in males (3.73% vs 1.53%, P < 0.001). In the age lower than 36 years old group, the detection rate of thyroid nodule with diffuse thyroid lesion in females was significantly higher than that in males (1.21% vs 0, P < 0.05).

Conclusion The incidence of thyroid nodule and diffuse thyroid lesion is higher in the young women, and the screening of thyroid disease should be strengthen in the young women.