Gender and Occupational Tenure as Independent Risk Factors for Thyroid Abnormalities among Radiology Workers

Objective To evaluate sex-specific susceptibility and the impact of occupational tenure on thyroid health in radiology workers. Subjects and Methods A total of 385 radiological workers, who had been working at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024, were enrolled in the study (172 males, 139 females). Basic information, data on thyroid function, and ultrasonic thyroid test results were collected. Results The number of patients with abnormal thyroid function was not significantly different among radiological workers with different work statuses and working ages. However, working age (> 20 years) was found to be an independent risk factor for abnormal thyroid morphology. Additionally, female radiologists had significantly greater rates of abnormal thyroid function than male radiologists did. Sex (female) was also identified as an independent risk factor for abnormal thyroid morphology in radiological workers. Conclusion Female radiology workers exhibit increased susceptibility to radiation-induced thyroid dysfunction and morphological abnormalities, whereas prolonged occupational exposure (>20 years) independently predicts structural changes.