Publication: Association between Thyroid Dysfunction and Common Mental Disorders (Anxiety and Depression): A university hospital-based cross-sectional study
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Anxiety and depression have been frequently reported to be associated with thyroid
dysfunctions. Many symptoms of anxiety and depression overlap with thyroid
disorders sometimes masking the diagnosis.
Objective
To look for association between thyroid diseases and newly diagnosed case of anxiety
or depression in out-patient department.
Method
It was a hospital based descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in a period of six
months after ethical approval from institutional review committee with participants
aged 18-65 years, who wished to give consent for the study and investigations. Cases
of anxiety and depression was diagnosed as per the International Classification of
Diseases-10, clinical description and diagnostic guideline and self-administered
proforma was used for demographic profile. Sample analysis and comparison of
different groups in the study was done using chi-square test; p-value < 0.05 was
considered for statistical significance.
Result
Anxiety disorders was higher in individuals with normal thyroid function (54.5%), and
depression appeared to be more common among individuals with abnormal thyroid
function (60.9%); it did not have any statistical significance.
Conclusion
Depressive disorders were common among thyroid disorder patients. Further study
is needed to examine the relationship between thyroid disorder and common mental
disorders to help improve mental health outcomes.
KEY WORDS
Anxiety, Common mental disorders, Depression, Thyroid diseases
Description
Shrestha B,1 Upadhaya SK,2 Shrestha M,3 Regmi S,4 Kunwar D,1 Risal A1
1Department of Psychiatry
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
2Department of Psychaitry
Universal College of Medical and Dental Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMS)
Siddharthanagar, Bhairahawa, Nepal
3Manipal Teaching Hospital
Fulbari, Pokhara, Nepal
4Patan Academy of Health Sciences
Lalitpur, Nepal
Keywords
Anxiety, Common mental disorders, Depression, Thyroid diseases