·To evaluate the role of preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) as an early prognostic marker for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) complicated with nodular goitre (NG) after operation and determine the corresponding cut-off value.
·A total of 268 patients with DTC complicated with NG who underwent the 131I treatment and thyroidectomy were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate baseline ps-Tg and other clinicopathologic characteristics in the prediction of distant metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to analyze optimal cut-off point of ps-Tg for predicting the recurrence or metastasis for patients with DTC complicated with NG.
·In the Logistic analysis, ps-Tg (OR=1.002, P=0.005), N1b (OR=0.235, P=0.001) and the histological-pathological types (OR=0.263, P=0.012) were predictors of distant metastasis. The cut-off value of ps-Tg for predicting the recurrence or metastasis was 26.97 ng/mL, with sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 83.3%. Area under the ROC curve was 0.795.
·For patients with DTC complicated with NG, ps-Tg, N1b and the histological- pathological types have a significant prognostic implication in early postoperative metastasis or recurrence. The cut off value of ps-Tg could be more useful for the prediction of metastasis or recurrence.