DOES STILL EXIST A CORRELATION BETWEEN X-RAYS OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AND BENIGN NODULAR THYROID DISEASE?

Objective: The prevalence of benign nodular thyroid disease in the general population is high, as shown by various studies, and the diagnosis is eased by the improved diagnostic capacity of the instruments used. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation as a possible significant risk factor in the determinism of this pathology. Method: A cross-sectional observational study in “A category” X-ray exposed workers (doctors, nurses, technicians) of the University Hospital of Palermo, compared with a sample of the general population, was carried out from June 2016 to June 2017. We evaluated data obtained from the Personal Health Records, including thyroid sonographic reports, assessed by 10-MHz neck ultrasonography: then were analyzed on the basis of statistical significance (p-value < 0.05, Odd ratios and 95% confidence interval), in order to identify possible relations with conditions who may become real risk factors, such as: occupational exposure, considering years and accumulated dose, age, gender, smoking habit. Result: Nodules were detected in 32/85 (37.6%) workers and in 31/90 (34.4%) subjects of the control group. None of the parameters examined in the two groups reached statistical significance as a risk factor, therefore not playing major role in the determinism of thyroid nodularitye. Conclusion: In this study, X-rays work-related exposure does not represent a risk factor of thyroid nodularity, although it would be opportune to know the reasons of the high prevalence of this pathology in general population.