ORIGINAL PAPER
Occupational daily walking steps have inverse relationship with papillary thyroid cancer risk and progression: a retrospective analysis
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1
Shandong University, Jinan, China
(Nutrition Department, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicin)
2
Shandong University, Jinan, China
(Intelligent Medical Department, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine)
3
Jinan Second People’s Hospital, Jinan, China
(Department of TCM Ophthalmology)
4
Shandong University, Jinan, China
(Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences)
5
Shandong University, Jinan, China
(Health Care Department, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine)
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Online publication date: 2024-02-23
Corresponding author
Qin Huan
Shandong University, Health Care Department, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine,
11 Wuyingshanzhong Road, Jinan 250031, China
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):58-71
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Investigate the impact of daily occupational walking steps on the progression of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a topic hitherto underresearched. Material and Methods: The authors analyzed the data from 800 individuals with PTC across stages 0–IV. Participants were evenly
divided into 2 distinct occupational groups: office workers and construction workers (N = 400 each). Data included comprehensive records of daily
walking steps, demographic information, and clinical indicators. Pearson’s correlation coefficients or analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed
to assess the linkage between daily walking steps and PTC risk and stage, as well as associated biochemical markers. Results: The analysis revealed
a significant inverse relationship between daily walking steps and PTC risk. A higher frequency of daily steps was associated with reduced chances
of PTC onset and a lower diagnostic stage of the disease. This protective effect of physical activity was particularly pronounced in the construc-
tion worker cohort. Subsequent evaluations showed that construction workers who consistently logged higher daily steps had markedly lower
levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroglobulin antibody, and thy-
roglobulin (Tg). Notably, daily walking steps exhibited a strong inverse correlation with body mass index (BMI), age, PTC volumes, and levels of
TSH and Tg across both occupational groups (ρ < –0.37). The increase in daily steps was associated with the reduction in PTC stages (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The research underscores the potential benefits of increased daily walking steps, suggesting that they may play a protective role in
reducing PTC risk and moderating its progression. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):58–71