Factors affecting thyroid nodule among coal miners: a prospective nested case-control study in Xinjiang, China

Purpose: Thyroid health issues have long been a critical focus in public health research and policy discussions. However, little is known about the thyroid health in coal miners. This study aimed to identify risk factors for thyroid nodules in coal miners. Methods: This study employed a nested case-control design. A total of 697 male coal miners with no abnormalities detected on thyroid ultrasound at baseline (2019) were enrolled as the study population. Baseline data collection included demographic characteristics, health indicators, and occupational coal-dust exposure concentrations. Follow-up continued until December 2024. Based on the final thyroid ultrasound results at the end of follow-up, workers who developed new-onset thyroid nodules were assigned to the case group, while those whose ultrasound results remained normal throughout the follow-up period were assigned to the control group. Results: = 0.0575). Conclusion: High-dose exposure to coal dust, abnormal urine routine results, abnormal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, abnormal fasting blood glucose, and age >45 years were identified as significant risk factors for thyroid nodules in coal miners.