Well-being and depression in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity—A general population study. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fjaellegaard, Katrine; Kvetny, Jan; Allerup, Peter N.; Bech, Per; Ellervik, Christina
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of psychiatry. Volume 69:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.3109/08039488.2014.929741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-9488

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background:</italic> The association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), with and without raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and well-being or depression is still controversial, in spite of many studies on the topic. <italic>Aims:</italic> In this large general population study of 8214 individuals, we aim to clarify the significance of elevated levels of anti-TPO as a marker of poor well-being and depression in euthyroid individuals and individuals with SCH. <italic>Methods:</italic> In participants from the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS), serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (tT₃), free thyroxine (fT₄) and anti-TPO was measured. Prevalence of poor well-being and depression was measured using the WHO-5 Well-being questionnaire and WHO MDI [Major (ICD-10) Depression Inventory] questionnaire. <italic>Results:</italic> Raw score for well-being or depression overall and stratified for sex was not more significantly different in euthyroid individuals than in individuals with SCH, with or without high anti-TPO, except that euthyroid women with elevated anti-TPO had better well-being (<italic>P = </italic>0.03) compared with euthyroid women with anti-TPO within the reference range. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> Elevated anti-TPO levels cannot be used as a general marker of poor well-being or depression in the general population.</p> </abstract>