Thyroiditis

Researchers are studying the use of a diagnostic device called ISAR-M THYRO to detect bleeding early after thyroid surgery. Postoperative bleeding occurs in 0.6 to 4% of patients, with most cases happening within the first 48 hours and potentially leading to serious complications or death. The study aims to improve early detection by continuously measuring neck pressure, which may indicate bleeding earlier than current symptom-based methods. Participants will have the ISAR-M THYRO device applied after thyroid surgery to continuously measure and digitally document neck pressure for up to 48 hours. The device includes alarms and a display that can be turned off. This observational study focuses on collecting data to assess the device's ability to detect bleeding early through pressure monitoring during the critical postoperative period. During the study, participants will be monitored for neck pressure changes using the device, and researchers will evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of bleeding detection within 48 hours after surgery. Safety of the device will be assessed for one month. The study helps understand if continuous pressure monitoring can provide timely alerts to reduce serious complications after thyroid surgery.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of thyroid hormone supplementation in patients undergoing hemodialysis who have elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels, a common complication in chronic kidney disease. Previous studies have shown that higher TSH levels are linked to poorer quality of life and increased cardiovascular risks in these patients. The trial seeks to clarify whether levothyroxine treatment can improve patient-centered outcomes and cardiovascular health, as well as its metabolic effects in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either levothyroxine or a matching placebo for 24 weeks. Initial doses depend on their TSH levels, with adjustments after 8 and 16 weeks based on follow-up TSH measurements, aiming to maintain TSH within a target range. Both groups undergo similar pill titration schedules to maintain study balance. The trial is double-blind and placebo-controlled to ensure unbiased results. During the study, participants will have assessments of quality of life, coronary artery calcification, physical performance, endothelial function, vascular markers, body fat, muscle strength, heart function, and energy expenditure at baseline and after 24 weeks. These evaluations help researchers determine the impact of levothyroxine on health-related quality of life and cardiovascular parameters. The total study participation spans approximately six months with regular monitoring.

Researchers are evaluating how well multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS) imaging can examine and provide information about cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. This study compares mpUS, which combines different ultrasound methods to show detailed tissue structure and blood flow, with standard ultrasound and other tests. The goal is to see if mpUS can offer a more accurate assessment, especially for pancreatic cancer and thyroid nodules. Participants will receive additional mpUS imaging during their standard ultrasound procedures, which adds about 5 to 15 minutes of scan time. There are three groups: patients at high risk for pancreatic cancer undergoing endoscopic ultrasound, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma receiving endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies, and patients having thyroid nodule biopsies. Healthy volunteers without cancer or thyroid nodules may also join. During the study, participants will undergo mpUS imaging alongside their usual care scans. Researchers will collect the extra ultrasound data to evaluate the feasibility of mpUS imaging. The main outcome is assessing how well mpUS works during the imaging procedures. This study is non-randomized, has no masking, and will continue until November 2027. Participants may be followed up as agreed, and the total added scan time is brief.

Researchers are evaluating the use of online outpatient follow-up compared to traditional offline follow-up for patients who have undergone surgery for papillary thyroid cancer. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the adherence to outpatient procedures over a 12-month period. The study includes adults between 18 and 90 years old who have had thyroid surgery and are able to communicate in Chinese and use the internet for visits. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group uses the Huayitong app for their post-operative follow-up, while the other group attends standard in-person outpatient clinics. The study will monitor participants through three follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Participants assigned to online visits may switch to offline visits or withdraw from the trial if technical issues arise or additional medical care is needed. During the study, investigators collect demographic and medical information, details of symptoms and treatment, patient satisfaction, and other relevant data through questionnaires and electronic medical records. Safety is monitored through a review of medical records and participant surveys 30 days after the final follow-up. The main outcome measured is adherence to outpatient procedures, with secondary outcomes including general quality of life.

Researchers are collecting information on the use of redifferentiating medications as a standard treatment for patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory thyroid cancer. This study is a registry designed to learn more about how these medications are used in routine clinical care for this condition. It is an observational study focused on patients who have thyroid cancer that does not respond well to RAI treatment. Participants will undergo follow-up visits at intervals determined by their usual clinical care. During these visits, researchers will record how well patients tolerate the redifferentiating medications and any adverse events they experience. The study includes patients receiving these agents as part of their regular treatment, both prospectively and retrospectively, but excludes those receiving such agents within other clinical trials. Participants will be monitored for adverse events at every visit over a period of two years. Researchers will collect and review data on medication tolerance and side effects during these follow-up appointments. This ongoing observation aims to provide a clearer picture of outcomes for patients treated with redifferentiation agents in usual care settings.

Researchers are studying patients with thyroid nodules classified as Bethesda IV and smaller than 2 cm to evaluate an alternative to immediate surgery called active surveillance. This approach aims to reduce the risks, costs, and long-term effects associated with surgery, such as hypothyroidism and nerve damage, while monitoring safety and disease progression. The study will track how many patients experience disease progression or require surgery over a five-year period. Participants will undergo active surveillance involving regular ultrasound scans and clinical check-ups at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months instead of having immediate surgical removal of the thyroid nodule. This non-surgical approach is designed to observe the nodule for any changes that may indicate the need for surgery while preserving thyroid function and minimizing overtreatment. During the study, participants will have periodic ultrasound imaging and clinical evaluations to monitor their thyroid nodules. Researchers will assess the number of patients who need surgery or show disease progression at 1, 2, and 5 years. Patient safety, feasibility of surveillance, and patient experience will be evaluated throughout the study, which lasts for five years from enrollment to the end of follow-up.

Researchers are investigating the prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatoic Liver Disease (MASLD) in adults with primary hypothyroidism, including both overt and sub-clinical forms, and comparing it to euthyroid controls among non-diabetic patients. MASLD, previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is a common chronic liver condition linked to metabolic issues like obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study also explores the relationship between Hashimoto thyroiditis and MASLD. Participants include groups with normal thyroid function, overt primary hypothyroidism, sub-clinical hypothyroidism, and those with positive thyroid auto-antibodies. All groups undergo thyroid function tests and MASLD screening using laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, and vibration-controlled transient elastography (FibroScan). This observational study follows these assessments to estimate MASLD prevalence and its correlation with thyroid disease severity. During the study, participants will have thyroid function and liver assessments performed, including blood tests and imaging. Researchers will measure the prevalence of MASLD and examine links between hypothyroidism severity, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and liver condition over three months. The study aims to provide insights into liver disease in thyroid patients without diabetes, with participant involvement lasting through these evaluations and follow-up measurements.

Researchers are conducting a long-term observational study to follow up on the STONE cohort established in Shanghai between 2016 and 2017. This study aims to update information on cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic outcomes among adult community residents aged 18 to 65 years. It will also compare metabolic risk factors and clinical outcomes between the initial baseline assessment and the follow-up period, exploring how changes in risk factors relate to health outcomes. Participants previously enrolled in the STONE cohort underwent extensive baseline evaluations, including questionnaires, interviews, physical exams, and clinical tests covering lifestyle habits, metabolic indicators, and ultrasound imaging. The follow-up study will categorize participants based on chronic kidney disease staging and continue data collection through June 2026, with the follow-up phase extending until 2035. During the study, participants will have assessments to track the development of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders over about ten years. Researchers will monitor outcomes such as disease occurrence and changes in metabolic factors. The study includes safety monitoring and ongoing data updates to understand long-term health trends in this population over more than a decade of follow-up.

Researchers are studying thyroid nodules and thyroid carcinoma to evaluate two diagnostic scoring methods using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with gray-scale ultrasound. This trial aims to compare the integrated scoring method and the up-and-down scoring method for diagnosing thyroid nodules and determining the necessity of biopsy. This retrospective study follows accepted standards for diagnostic accuracy and includes participants who have undergone specific ultrasound tests and biopsies with confirmed benign or malignant results. Participants receive diagnostic evaluation involving conventional gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules larger than 5 mm. The study includes a training set of 600 participants and an external validation set of 200 participants from different hospitals. The two scoring methods are used to assess the malignant risk of thyroid nodules and guide biopsy decisions. During the study, researchers collect ultrasound images and biopsy results to measure diagnostic performance and biopsy rates. They analyze how well each scoring method identifies malignant nodules and reduces unnecessary biopsies. Participant involvement includes undergoing the specified ultrasound procedures and biopsy, with data collected retrospectively. The study focuses on evaluating diagnostic accuracy and biopsy necessity, with results expected after the study's primary completion date.

Researchers are studying cognitive function and quality of life in people who have surgery for thyroid nodules. The study aims to understand the extent of objective cognitive problems and how they relate to subjective cognitive complaints, thyroid hormone levels, physical activity, and health-related quality of life. This prospective study includes patients with benign thyroid nodules, low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer, and intermediate to high-risk thyroid cancer. Participants are divided into three groups: those with follicular adenomas, those with very low-risk thyroid cancer, and those with low to high-risk thyroid cancer. The main comparison focuses on patients with follicular adenomas and those with higher-risk thyroid cancer. Cognitive function is assessed using an online neuropsychological test called the Amsterdam Cognition Scale (ACS). Participants complete online cognitive tests and questionnaires about quality of life, physical activity, and other psychological and physical symptoms at multiple times from before surgery up to 12 months after surgery. Blood samples are taken to measure thyroid hormone levels and signs of inflammation. The study measures objective cognitive function over time to better understand its impact on survivors of thyroid conditions.