title: Investigating the association between tinnitus severity and symptoms of depression and anxiety, while controlling for neuroticism, in a large middle-aged UK population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical studies indicate increased risk for depression and anxiety among tinnitus patients. However population data are scarce, and no studies have controlled for neuroticism. We examined associations between tinnitus and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a large UK population, controlling for neuroticism, to explore whether neuroticism, as previously reported, fully explains the association between symptoms of depression and anxiety, and tinnitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the UK Biobank resource.
  
  
  METHODS
  171 728 participants answered hearing questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using generalized linear modelling, we examined associations between tinnitus (mild to severe) and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Controlling for neuroticism, patients with severe tinnitus were at increased risk of depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27) and anxiety (OR = 1.11) symptoms, compared to those without tinnitus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although it is not possible to determine whether tinnitus is a predisposing factor to depression, these results suggest an association. We suggest further exploration to determine the clinical significance of this association. Early psychosocial intervention aimed at reducing anxiety and depression in patients at increased risk might influence the extent to which tinnitus is experienced as troubling, and therefore psychological distress associated with it. Likewise, with tinnitus patients, assessment for anxiety/depression should be considered.
authors.affiliation: * National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Otology and Hearing Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham , UK.
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edmondson-Jones
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fortnum
authors.forename: Piers D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000075384:Neuroticism; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Tinnitus; aging; demographics/epidemiology; psycho-social/emotional