Analysis of the risk factors of negative emotions in patients undergoing microwave ablation of thyroid nodules during the perioperative period and its impact on prognosis: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodule (TN) is one or more abnormal lump structures in the thyroid gland parenchyma caused by genetic, environmental, and other factors. It is the most common thyroid disease in clinics. Microwave ablation (MWA) can significantly reduce the nodule volume and effectively reduce the symptoms caused by nodules. However, the patient’s negative emotions during the perioperative period may affect the postoperative recovery. This study explored the risk factors of negative emotions in patients during the perioperative period and its impact on patient prognosis. This data provides a basis for clinical psychological interventions before MWA, so as to improve the quality of life of patients with TN. METHODS: A total of 238 patients who were hospitalized for TNs in The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to January 2022, and who received MWA therapy were enrolled in this study. The patients were evaluated with a general situation questionnaire, a Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and a Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). The TN volume was followed up to evaluate the prognosis of patients. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of perioperative negative emotions and the impact of negative emotions on the prognosis. RESULTS: The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that education, income, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and solid nodule volume were independent influencing factors of anxiety (P<0.05). Age, income, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and solid nodule volume were independent influencing factors of depression (P<0.05). The prognosis of patients with no negative emotions at the first, third, and sixth months after surgery was significantly better than that of patients with negative emotions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Negative emotions have a significant impact on the prognosis of TNs. According to individual differences, targeted nursing intervention should be supplemented to stabilize a patient’s emotions, improve compliance, and enhance quality of life.