Histopathological Profile of Thyroid Diseases at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid diseases are diverse and can be classified as functional, goitrous, non-neoplastic, or neoplastic. Although global patterns vary by age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic location, histopathological data from southern Ethiopia remain scarce, limiting regional diagnostic and management strategies.

Objective: To determine the histopathological profile of thyroid diseases among patients attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama, Ethiopia.

Methods: This study employed a retrospective chart review of thyroid biopsy records collected over six years, from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2021, at the Pathology Department of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Archived medical records of patients who underwent thyroid biopsy during the specified timeframe were reviewed. Data were entered into SPSS version 21 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and proportions, to summarize demographic characteristics and histopathological patterns.

Results: A total of 270 patients with thyroid disease were included in this study. The female-to-male ratio was 4:1. Most patients (91%) were aged 20−59 years. The main presenting symptom was anterior neck swelling (81%), and most of the patients (65.2%) presented within 5 years of symptom onset. Non-neoplastic lesions accounted for 179 (66.3%) thyroid lesions. The most common histologic form of thyroid disease was nodular colloid goiter (NCG) (n=161; 59.6%), followed by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (n=61; 22.6%). PTC was the most common thyroid carcinoma (83.6%), followed by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) (8.2%). The majority of thyroid carcinomas were pT3 (n=29; 39.7%) and pT2 (n=27; 37%).

Conclusions: NCG was the most prevalent thyroid lesion, while papillary thyroid carcinoma emerged as the leading malignancy. These findings highlight the importance of strengthened early detection and diagnostic capacity to improve thyroid disease outcomes in southern Ethiopia.