To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by integrating clinicopathological variables, hematological biomarkers, and psychological assessment, specifically emotional distress.
Approach:
Key Findings:
A total of 484 cases were included in the study, demonstrating a robust sample size.
The AUC index for the training set was 0.8045 and for the verification set was 0.8146, indicating strong predictive performance.
The nomogram demonstrated exceptional discrimination and calibration, suggesting its potential utility in clinical settings.
Interpretation:
The developed nomogram provides a clinically applicable tool for predicting LNM in PTC, integrating multiple dimensions of preoperative data, including novel psychological factors.
Limitations:
The study may have limitations related to its single-center design, which could affect the generalizability of the findings.
Further validation in diverse populations and settings is needed.
Conclusion:
The study successfully developed a predictive nomogram for LNM in PTC, incorporating clinicopathological variables, hematological biomarkers, and psychological factors.
