Cognitive decline in mid-life: Changes in memory and cognition related to hypothyroidism. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stern, Mark; Finch, Alyse; Haskard-Zolnierek, Kelly B.; Howard, Krista; Deason, Rebecca G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 28:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 401
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: hypothyroidism -- cognitive processing -- memory -- fatigue -- QoL; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/13591053221107745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This study assessed specific cognitive impairments within a primarily female, hypothyroid population, while controlling for factors that commonly contribute to cognitive decline. Participants ( N = 739) included 461 individuals with hypothyroidism. This study involved an online survey assessing several aspects of memory and cognition. Those with hypothyroidism generally scored worse on self-assessments of memory, higher perceived stress, high rates of depression and anxiety, greater fatigue, poorer concentration, and less motivation. A Receiver Operating Characteristic curve indicated that the cognitive questionnaires are successful at classifying hypothyroidism and a mediation analysis showed fatigue is a mediating symptom of these cognitive outcomes.