Mood Disorders in Levothyroxine-Treated Hypothyroid Women

Benjamín Romero-Gómez, Paula Guerrero-Alonso, Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres, Blanca Notario-Pacheco and Ana Isabel Cobo-Cuenca
Additional contact information
Benjamín Romero-Gómez: Hospital El Tomillar de Sevilla, Servicio Andaluz de Salud (SAS), 41500 Alcalá de Guadaira, Spain
Paula Guerrero-Alonso: Centro de Salud Najera, Servicio Rioja Salud, 26300 Najera, Spain
Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres: Facultad de Fisioterapia y Enfermería y Fisioterapia de Toledo, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, 45005 Toledo, Spain
Blanca Notario-Pacheco: Facultad de Enfermería de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, 16071 Cuenca Toledo, Spain
Ana Isabel Cobo-Cuenca: Facultad de Fisioterapia y Enfermería y Fisioterapia de Toledo, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, 45005 Toledo, Spain

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Hypothyroidism has several symptoms (weight gain, arrhythmias, mood changes, etc.). The aims of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid women and in women without hypothyroidism; (2) to identify variables associated with anxiety and depression. Methods : A case-control study was performed with 393 women. Case-group: 153 levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid women. Control-group: 240 women without hypothyroidism. Convenience sampling. Instrument: The Hamilton Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results : The prevalence of anxiety in levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid women was higher than in women without hypothyroidism (29.4% vs. 16.7%, χ 2 p < 0.001). The prevalence of depression in the case group was higher than in the control group (13.1% vs. 4.6%, χ 2 p < 0.001). Levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid women were more likely to have anxiety (OR = 2.08, CI: 1.28–3.38) and depression (OR = 3.13, IC = 1.45–6.45). Conclusion : In spite of receiving treatment with levothyroxine, women with hypothyroidism are more likely to have depression and anxiety. Health professionals need to assess the mood of women with hypothyroidism. Although levothyroxine is a good treatment for the symptoms of hypothyroidism, it may not be enough to prevent development or persistence of depression and anxiety by itself.

Keywords: hypothyroidism; mood disorders; levothyroxine; women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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