Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center

Bağdagül Yüksel Güler; Mehdi Erdem; Muzaffer Deniz; Safiye Kızışar Yılmaz; Şerife Ezgi Doğan

Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center

Abstract

Aims: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limiting inflammatory thyroid disorder that frequently presents with neck pain, systemic symptoms, and biochemical thyrotoxicosis. Delayed recognition of SAT may lead to repeated healthcare visits, inappropriate antibiotic use, and postponement of appropriate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare-seeking behavior, referral patterns, antibiotic use, and treatment approaches among patients diagnosed with SAT at a tertiary referral center. Additionally, demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed during the study period were assessed. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, medical records of patients evaluated for SAT in the Endocrinology Department of Sincan Training and Research Hospital between June 2023 and March 2025 were reviewed. Among 117 identified cases, 100 patients with confirmed SAT and complete clinical data were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics, departments visited before endocrinology referral, time from symptom onset to endocrinology evaluation, antibiotic use, laboratory findings, thyroid ultrasonography results, and treatment methods were analyzed. Results: The study population consisted predominantly of female (74%), with a mean age of 45.4±9.9 years. The mean interval between symptom onset and endocrinology referral was 23.7±17.3 days. Prior to endocrinology evaluation, patients most frequently presented to internal medicine (45.6%) and otorhinolaryngology (14.4%) clinics. Notably, some patients sought care from multiple specialties, including emergency departments. Elevated inflammatory markers were observed at presentation, with mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels of 52.7±30.8 mm/h and 7.9±18.0 mg/dl, respectively. Before receiving a diagnosis of SAT, 42% of patients had been prescribed antibiotics, most commonly cephalosporins and amoxicillinclavulanate. Typical ultrasonographic findings of SAT were present in 80% of patients. Following diagnosis, the most frequently prescribed treatment regimen was a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (42%), followed by NSAID monotherapy (27%) and corticosteroid monotherapy (26%). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with SAT underwent evaluation by multiple healthcare providers and received unnecessary antibiotic treatment before referral to endocrinology services. These findings underscore the continuing challenges in early recognition of SAT and the importance of increasing clinical awareness, particularly among first-contact healthcare providers. Earlier identification of SAT may reduce diagnostic delays, minimize inappropriate antibiotic use, and facilitate timely initiation of appropriate therapy.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

Ethics Committee Approval: The study was initiated with the approval of the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of Sincan Training and Research Hospital (Approval Date: July 22, 2025; Approval Number: SEAH-BAEK-2025-69).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endocrinology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Bağdagül Yüksel Güler ^*
0000-0002-8023-2666
Türkiye

Mehdi Erdem
0000-0002-2527-5962
Türkiye

Muzaffer Deniz
0000-0002-8905-3955
Türkiye

Safiye Kızışar Yılmaz
0000-0002-1327-3775
Türkiye

Şerife Ezgi Doğan
0000-0003-0526-7647
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 15, 2026

Submission Date

June 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yüksel Güler, B., Erdem, M., Deniz, M., Kızışar Yılmaz, S., & Doğan, Ş. E. (2026). Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(4), 830-834. https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN

AMA

1.Yüksel Güler B, Erdem M, Deniz M, Kızışar Yılmaz S, Doğan ŞE. Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(4):830-834. https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN

Chicago

Yüksel Güler, Bağdagül, Mehdi Erdem, Muzaffer Deniz, Safiye Kızışar Yılmaz, and Şerife Ezgi Doğan. 2026. “Healthcare-Seeking Behavior and Treatment Approaches Prior to the Diagnosis of Subacute Thyroiditis: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Center”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (4): 830-34. https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN.

EndNote

Yüksel Güler B, Erdem M, Deniz M, Kızışar Yılmaz S, Doğan ŞE (August 1, 2026) Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 4 830–834.

IEEE

[1]B. Yüksel Güler, M. Erdem, M. Deniz, S. Kızışar Yılmaz, and Ş. E. Doğan, “Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 830–834, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN

ISNAD

Yüksel Güler, Bağdagül - Erdem, Mehdi - Deniz, Muzaffer - Kızışar Yılmaz, Safiye - Doğan, Şerife Ezgi. “Healthcare-Seeking Behavior and Treatment Approaches Prior to the Diagnosis of Subacute Thyroiditis: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Center”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/4 (August 1, 2026): 830-834. https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN.

JAMA

1.Yüksel Güler B, Erdem M, Deniz M, Kızışar Yılmaz S, Doğan ŞE. Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:830–834.

MLA

Yüksel Güler, Bağdagül, et al. “Healthcare-Seeking Behavior and Treatment Approaches Prior to the Diagnosis of Subacute Thyroiditis: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Center”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 4, Aug. 2026, pp. 830-4, https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN.

Vancouver

1.Bağdagül Yüksel Güler, Mehdi Erdem, Muzaffer Deniz, Safiye Kızışar Yılmaz, Şerife Ezgi Doğan. Healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment approaches prior to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;7(4):830-4. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA45KW43JN