Ethnic differences in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for non-toxic multinodular goitre

BackgroundMaori have an increased incidence of thyrotoxicosis when compvared to non-Maori, however there are limited data on benign non-toxic nodular thyroid disease. AimsThe aims of this study were to determine the rates of non-toxic multinodular goitre (NTMNG) surgery for Maori and non-Maori and to determine if there were differences in thyroid size between Maori and non-Maori undergoing total thyroidectomy for NTMNG. MethodsSingle centre study of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for NTMNG from 1 December 2006 to 30 November 2016. ResultsMaori were overrepresented amongst the 427 patients who underwent surgery for NTMNG at 34% compared to the expected similar to 17% of the background Maori adult population in the region. At the time of surgery, Maori were younger (P = 0.004) and had a larger thyroid gland (P < 0.001) when compared to non-Maori also undergoing total/near total thyroidectomy. Complication rates were low across all ethnic groups. ConclusionMaori have increased rates of surgery for NTMNG compared to non-Maori and thyroid size is larger at the time of surgery. The reasons for this are currently unknown and more research is required.