The link between thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies) with anxiety and mood disorders in the community: a field of interest for public health in the future.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the association between mood and anxiety disorders and thyroid autoimmunity in a community sample.


METHODS
A community based sample of 222 subjects was examined. Psychiatric diagnoses were formulated using the International Composite Diagnostic Interview Simplified (CIDIS), according to DSM-IV criteria. All subjects underwent a complete thyroid evaluation including physical examination, thyroid echography and measure of serum free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (anti-TPO).


RESULTS
16.6% of the overall sample had an anti-TPO value above the normal cut-off. Subjects with at least one diagnosis of anxiety disorders (OR = 4.2, C.L. 95% 1.9-38.8) or mood disorders (OR = 2.9, Cl 95% 1.4-6.6, P < 0.011) were positive for serum anti-TPO more frequently than subjects without mood or anxiety disorders. A statistically significant association with anti-TPO+ was found in Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (OR = 4.0, CL 95% 1.1-15.5), in Major Depressive Episode (OR = 2.7, CL 95% 1.1-6.7) and Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (OR = 4.4, S CL 95% 1-19.3).


CONCLUSIONS
The study seems to suggest that individuals in the community with thyroid autoimmunity may be at high risk for mood and anxiety disorders. The psychiatric disorders and the autoimmune reaction seem to be rooted in a same (and not easy correctable) aberrancy in the immuno-endocrine system. Should our results be confirmed, the findings may be of great interest for future preventive and case finding projects.
Department of Public Health, Division of Psychiatry, University of Cagliari, Italy. mgcarta@tiscali.it
Mauro Giovanni
MG
Carta
Andrea
A
Loviselli
Maria Carolina
MC
Hardoy
Sergio
S
Massa
Mariangela
M
Cadeddu
Claudia
C
Sardu
Bernardo
B
Carpiniello
Liliana
L
Dell'Osso
Stefano
S
Mariotti
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D009195:Peroxidase