Assessment of inflammatory parameters as predictive markers for malignancy in thyroid nodules: a study on the correlation with Bethesda classification

Objective:The study aimed to assess the predictive significance of inflammatory parameters as potential markers for malignancy in individuals with thyroid nodules.Method: Nine hundred and ninety-one patients with thyroid nodules who had undergone thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy were included and classified according to the Bethesda system.Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) values obtained from hemogram parameters were determined for each patient.The study examined the correlation between the Bethesda classification and NLR/SII levels.In addition, a comparison was made between the inflammatory parameters of the benign and malignant Bethesda groups.Results: Five hundred and seventy-three patients were classified as Bethesda 2 (benign), 34 as Bethesda 6 (malignant).A correlation was observed between the Bethesda classification and NLR and SII levels (r: 0.230, p < 0.001; r: 0.207 p < 0.001, respectively).NLR and SII values were significantly higher in the malignant group (p < 0.001).The cutoff value for SII in predicting benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 489.86 10 3 /mm 3 with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 63.7%.The cutoff value for NLR for the same prediction was 2.06 with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 83.4%.Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that SII and NLR may be valuable prognostic markers for predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules.