MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF THYROID LESIONS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING SOME SELECTED HOSPITALS IN KANO METROPOLIS A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 5 YEARS (2020-2024)
Abstract
Thyroid lesions represent a significant health burden globally, with varying prevalence and morphological presentations influenced by regional factors such as iodine deficiency and access to healthcare. This study aimed to analyze the morphological variations of thyroid lesions among patients attending selected hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria, over a five-year period (2020-2024). A retrospective design was employed, involving the review of histopathological records from 252 patients at Muhammad Abdulahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH) and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH). The objectives were to identify the types of thyroid lesions, determine the prevalence and annual incidence of each morphological type, and evaluate the association between demographic factors (age, gender) and lesion types. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential statistics (chi-square test). Eight lesion types were identified, with multinodular goiter being the most prevalent (38.1% in 2020, 29.1% in 2024). Malignant lesions, including follicular carcinoma (0.0% to 12.7%) and papillary carcinoma (0.0% to 11.3%), showed a rising trend. Ten morphological types were documented, with multinodular (38.1%-29.1%) and cystic (16.3%-18.5%) morphologies dominating. A significant association was found between age and lesion types (x2 = 63.822, p < 0.001), with thyroglossal cysts prevalent in younger patients (10-30 years) and malignancies peaking in the 30-50 age group. Females accounted for 92.1% of cases, yielding a female-to-male ratio of 11.6:1. The findings highlight the high burden of iodine deficiency-related lesions and an emerging cancer trend in Kano State, underscoring the need for enhanced diagnostic facilities, targeted screening, and strengthened iodine supplementation programs. Recommendations include equipping hospitals with advanced diagnostic tools, tailoring screening protocols by age, and raising awareness among women to address gender disparities in thyroid health.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.