Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s00405-026-10524-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To examine the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and thyroid cancer (TC) risk.
METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 1, 2025 for population-based registry studies that reported standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of TC in people living with HIV (PLHIV) compared with the general population was conducted. A random-effects model was used to pool SIRs, with subgroup analyses by national income level, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era and geographical region. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias tests were also performed.
RESULTS: Fourteen population-based registry studies involving 2,419,564 PLHIV and 1,088 incident TC cases were included. The pooled analysis showed that PLHIV had a lower risk of TC than the general population (SIR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.75). Subgroup analyses revealed a decreased risk in high-income countries (SIR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.51-0.68), while the risk estimate for low- and middle-income countries was based on only one study (SIR = 7.17, 95% CI 2.35-21.92). A lower risk was observed in the HAART era (SIR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.71), whereas no statistically significant difference in TC risk was detected in the pre-HAART era (SIR = 2.64, 95% CI 0.30-23.42). By region, risk was reduced in both North America (SIR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.54-0.70) and Europe (SIR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.29-0.85), while no statistically significant difference was observed in the Asian subgroup.
CONCLUSION: A reduced risk of TC was observed among PLHIV, but this association was modified by country income level, geographical region and treatment era.
PMID:42543426 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-026-10524-1
