Are autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and depression related?
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between autoimmune thyroid disease and depression in perimenopausal women. Thyroid function [TSH, free T4, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab)] and depression (using the Edinburgh Depression Scale) were assessed cross-sectionally together with other determinants of depression. The subjects were 583 randomly selected perimenopausal women (aged 47-54 yr) from a community cohort of 6846 women. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction (abnormal free T4 and/or TSH or elevated levels of TPO-Ab) and the concomitant presence of depression according to the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Neither biochemical thyroid dysfunction nor menopausal status was related to depression. Apart from several psycho-social determinants (the occurrence of a major life event, a previous episode of depression, or financial problems), an elevated level of TPO-Ab (> or = 100 U/mL) was significantly associated with depression (odds ratio, 3.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.3-6.8). We conclude that women with elevated TPO-Ab levels are especially vulnerable to depression, whereas postmenopausal status does not increase the risk of depression.
Pop
V J
VJ
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Maartens
L H
LH
Leusink
G
G
van Son
M J
MJ
Knottnerus
A A
AA
Ward
A M
AM
Metcalfe
R
R
Weetman
A P
AP
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
D001323:Autoantibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine