11 February 2025 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Thyroid Nodules in 456 Patients with Thyroid Nodules
Hongbo Ge1ACE, Ying Qian1BCE, Binyi Li1ABDG*DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945732
Med Sci Monit 2025; 31:e945732
Table 1 Items for measuring the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the patients.
| Statement | Accuracy n (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1. Thyroid nodules are clinically very common, with a higher prevalence in females | 301 (66.01) | ||||
| K2. Most patients are asymptomatic, but some may experience pain around the nodule, a sensation of a lump in the throat, and a feeling of pressure | 344 (75.44) | ||||
| K3. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign, with malignant nodules accounting for only about 5% of cases | 314 (68.86) | ||||
| K4. The treatment approach for thyroid nodules depends on individual circumstances, and most cases only require regular follow-up | 320 (70.18) | ||||
| K5. Asymptomatic nodules should be regularly monitored after self-diagnosis | 369 (80.92) | ||||
| K6. Follow-up for benign patients includes clinical examination, ultrasound, and thyroid function tests at intervals of 12 to 24 months | 304 (66.67) | ||||
| K7. If there are no significant changes in the morphology and size of the nodule, follow-up can be done once every 2 years | 289 (63.38) | ||||
| K8. Thyroid nodules patients with normal thyroid function also require suppressive treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) | 109 (23.90) | ||||
| K9. Nodules with symptoms (such as neck pressure, difficulty swallowing, pain, etc.) should be treated regardless of thyroid function status | 296 (64.91) | ||||
| K10. Malignant thyroid nodules (thyroid cancer) must undergo surgery | 85 (18.64) | ||||
| K11. Benign thyroid nodules do not necessarily require surgery | 184 (40.35) | ||||
| K12. Apart from surgery, other minimally invasive treatment options are available (such as thermal ablation therapy, radioactive iodine therapy, etc.) | 307 (67.32) | ||||
| A1. I am willing to learn more about thyroid nodules and related information | 267 (58.55) | 135 (29.61) | 49 (10.75) | 2 (0.44) | 3 (0.66) |
| A2. I believe having thyroid nodules is not a big deal and doesn’t require any attention | 61 (13.38) | 70 (15.35) | 35 (7.68) | 218 (47.81) | 72 (15.79) |
| A3. I think thyroid nodules are related to past emotional factors | 177 (38.82) | 212 (46.49) | 43 (9.43) | 19 (4.17) | 5 (1.10) |
| A4. I think thyroid nodules are associated with excessive life stress | 160 (35.09) | 220 (48.25) | 45 (9.87) | 26 (5.70) | 5 (1.10) |
| A5. I believe radiation exposure can affect the incidence of thyroid nodules | 119 (26.10) | 227 (49.78) | 60 (13.16) | 44 (9.65) | 6 (1.32) |
| A6. I think iodine deficiency or excess might increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules to some extent | 134 (29.39) | 240 (52.63) | 48 (10.53) | 27 (5.92) | 7 (1.54) |
| A7. I feel anxious about my thyroid nodules | 70 (15.35) | 168 (36.84) | 119 (26.10) | 85 (18.64) | 14 (3.07) |
| A8. Thyroid nodules make me feel emotionally down | 59 (12.94) | 163 (35.75) | 114 (25.00) | 109 (23.90) | 11 (2.41) |
| A9. I am always worried that my thyroid nodules may enlarge or progress to malignancy | 68 (14.91) | 200 (43.86) | 93 (20.39) | 83 (18.20) | 12 (2.63) |
| A10. I believe all thyroid nodules need a thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy | 59 (12.94) | 129 (28.29) | 77 (16.89) | 180 (39.47) | 11 (2.41) |
| P1. I am able to follow the doctor’s advice and attend regular follow-up appointments | 142 (31.14) | 162 (35.53) | 111 (24.34) | 27 (5.92) | 14 (3.07) |
| P2. If treatment is necessary, I would prefer medication over surgery | 54 (11.84) | 75 (16.45) | 134 (29.39) | 100 (21.93) | 93 (20.39) |
| P3. I am learning to manage my emotions | 129 (28.29) | 163 (35.75) | 133 (29.17) | 21 (4.61) | 10 (2.19) |
| P4. I am learning to balance the stress of work and life | 132 (28.95) | 172 (37.72) | 118 (25.88) | 23 (5.04) | 11 (2.41) |
| P5. If there are informative lectures or workshops available, I am willing to participate | 125 (27.41) | 122 (26.75) | 133 (29.17) | 59 (12.94) | 17 (3.73) |
| P6. Please indicate your willingness to consider the following traditional Chinese medicine treatment options | Very willing | Willing | Neutral | Unwilling | Very unwilling |
| P6.1. Taking herbal decoctions or patent Chinese medicines | 113 (24.78) | 194 (42.54) | 111 (24.34) | 322 (7.02) | 6 (1.32) |
| P6.2. External application of herbal medicines | 117 (25.66) | 188 (41.23) | 114 (25.00) | 33 (7.24) | 4 (0.88) |
| P6.3. Acupuncture therapy | 92 (20.18) | 157 (34.43) | 130 (28.51) | 70 (15.35) | 7 (1.54) |
| K – knowledge; A – attitude; P – practice. | |||||