SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2026
Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of malignancy in thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
6 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Thyroid nodules (TNs) are prevalent, particularly in women and older adults, yet only a minority are malignant. Clinical decisions on biopsy and follow-up are complicated by selective use of fine-needle aspiration cytology, indeterminate results, and efforts to limit unnecessary procedures. We systematically identified and synthesized sociodemographic, laboratory, and ultrasonographic (US) factors associated with malignancy in TNs. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched (PROSPERO CRD42024557085). Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (Joanna Briggs Institute tools). Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for predictors reported in ≥5 studies, with heterogeneity quantified using I Results: Of 35,359 records, 194 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 47 with poolable crude ORs (predictors reported in ≥5 studies) contributed to meta-analysis, and the remainder to qualitative synthesis. Male sex, family history of thyroid cancer, higher thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, and several US features (including hypoechogenicity, solid composition, calcifications/microcalcifications, taller-than-wide shape, and irregular margins) were associated with higher odds of malignancy, whereas increasing age and larger nodule size showed inverse associations, though with substantial between-study heterogeneity. Conclusions: Malignancy in TNs reflects both patient-related and nodule-specific characteristics. Integrating these factors may support pre-biopsy risk assessment and more consistent biopsy and follow-up decisions. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024557085.
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