A STUDY OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PATIENTS WITH THYROID DISORDERS- SIX MONTHS FOLLOW UP STUDY

Vanishree G, Chandraleka G. S, Asokan T v

Abstract


Background: Thyroid hormones have, from time immemorial, been known to have an impact mood and cognition. The
thyroid hormones affect the neuronal functions at multiple levels- ranging from receptors, neurotransmitter systems,
myelination, to intracellular genomic effects. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental conditions seen in
thyroid disorders. There is also the possibility that the co-occurrence of psychiatric and thyroid diseases may be a result
of shared genetic and biochemical abnormalities. There have been a multitude of studies exploring the quality of life and
psychiatric co-morbidity, in patients afflicted with thyroid disorders.
Materials and methods: 147 patients with thyroid disorders who attended the outpatient Endocrinology Department at
the hospital were evaluated for psychiatric morbidity. We estimated the severity and prevalence of depression and
anxiety. We have followed up the patients for a period of six months, while they are receiving treatment for thyroid. We
reassessed them for psychiatric morbidity during the follow up period and compared the prevalence rates and severity
of depression and anxiety. We also did a correlation between demographic and illness variables with the presence and
severity of psychiatric morbidity.
Results: Of the 147 participants, 93% were women. The average duration of thyroid dysfunction was 1.76 years. There
was a significantly high prevalence of depression (59.2%) and anxiety(21.8%) in thyroid patients initially. After six
months the prevalence rates decreased to 41.5% and 7.5% respectively .The psychiatric morbidity decreased
significantly when the underlying thyroid dysfunction was corrected, without the use of any psychotropic medications.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in thyroid patients. There is a need for compulsory
screening, follow up and review of these patients for psychiatric morbidity. The prevalence and severity depression and
anxiety decrease significantly with appropriate and adequate management of the thyroid disorder, without any
psychopharmacological intervention.


Keywords


Thyroid Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Psychiatric Morbidity, Follow Up.

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