April - June 2025, Volume 21, Issue 2

Yu JK, Zheng L, Meng N, Zhang X, Zhang J, Huang S, Zhang M, Yao F, Li D

Association between Obesity and BRAFV600E Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Acta Endo (Buc) 2025, 21 (2): 239-245
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2025.239

cancer has been continuously increasing, which is in line with the prevalent trend of obesity. Objective. This study aims to investigate the relationship between obesity and BRAFV600E mutation. Methods. The study collected clinical and demographic data of 140 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Statistical analyses included independentsamples t-tests, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, as well as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. The mean BMI was significantly higher in the BRAFV600E-positive group than in the negative group (p<0.001). BMI was independently associated with BRAFV600E mutation in both univariate (p=0.007) and multivariate analyses (p=0.026). ROC analysis demonstrated that BMI had modest predictive value (p=0.003). Research has observed the existence of sex differences, with a higher proportion of males in the BRAFV600E-positive group (p=0.047). Among BRAFV600E-positive patients, males had higher BMI and were more frequently classified as overweight or obese (P < 0.001). However, sex was not identified as an independent predictor in multivariate analysis. No significant associations were found between BRAFV600E mutation and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, diabetes, or fatty liver disease. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the association between higher BMI and BRAFV600E mutation in patients with PTC.

Keywords: Body mass index, BRAF mutation, Papillary thyroid cancer, Overweight.

Correspondence: Dan Li MD, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, No. 126 Wenzhou Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China, E-mail: lidan12212025@163.com