The Spectrum of Thyroid Nodules at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

John Kakamba Bukasa (), Pascal Bayauli-Mwasa, Branly Kilola Mbunga (), Ayrton Bangolo, Wivine Kavula, Jean Mukaya, Joseph Bindingija and Jean-René M’Buyamba-Kabangu
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John Kakamba Bukasa: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Pascal Bayauli-Mwasa: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Branly Kilola Mbunga: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ayrton Bangolo: Department of Internal Medicine, Hackensack University Medical Center/Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ 07047, USA
Wivine Kavula: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jean Mukaya: Radiology and Medical Imaging Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Joseph Bindingija: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jean-René M’Buyamba-Kabangu: Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: We analyzed the spectrum of thyroid nodules in patients attending the endocrinology unit care of the Kinshasa University Hospital and assessed their associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study, performing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. From the 888 enrolled patients, thyroid nodules were detected in 658 patients (74.1%), as mononodules in 22.5% and multiple nodules in 77.5%. Thyroid function was normal in 71.3% cases, while hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were found in 26.1% and 2.6% of cases, respectively. Women were more affected than men (75.1% vs. 63.6%; p = 0.03). Patients with thyroid nodules were older (44 ± 12 vs. 38 ± 12 years; p < 0.001), with a family history of goiter (38.3% vs. 27.4%; p = 0.003) and residence in the iodine-deficient region (51.7% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.012); they had a higher proportion of longer delays to consultation (47% vs. 20%; p < 0.001), but a higher rate of normal thyroid function (85.5% vs. 3 1.3%; p < 0.001). Thyroid nodules were associated with the delay to consultation (for duration ≥ three years, OR: 6.560 [95% CI: 3.525–12.208)], multiparity (present vs. absent: 2.863 [1.475–5.557]) and family history of goiter (present vs. absent: 2.086 [95% CI:1.231–3.534]) in female patients alone. The high frequency of thyroid nodules observed requires measures aimed at early detection in the population, the training of doctors involved in the management and the strengthening of technical platforms in our hospitals.

Keywords: thyroid nodules; associated factors; Congolese adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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