Objective: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical finding, with diagnostic strategies guided by ultrasonographic features and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) interpreted via the Bethesda system. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and cytological classification of thyroid nodules in a rural district hospital.Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1,400 adult patients who underwent thyroid ultrasonography and laboratory testing between January 2018 and October 2024 at Alaca State Hospital.
Nodules ≥1 cm or with suspicious ultrasound features were biopsied, and cytological results were reported according to the Bethesda System.Results: Thyroid nodules were detected in 33.5% of patients, with a higher prevalence in females (p