Background: While the association between depression and hypothyroidism is well established, the prevalence of depression among patients with hypothyroid who are being treated with levothyroxine in Saudi Arabia is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the latter, as well as to explore the factors associated with depression among these patients.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling was conducted at the National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess the prevalence and levels of depression among patients with hypothyroidism, who were being treated with levothyroxine. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 software.
Results: The study included 130 patients, of whom 89% were female. The prevalence of depression among hypothyroid patients was 70% (95% CI: 62%-78%), 30% had no/mild depression, 27% had moderate depression, and 43% had moderately severe/severe depression. There was a significant association between the prevalence of depression and lower levels of education up to high school (68%), patients older than 30 years of age (85%), and married/widowed patients (83%). Patients with moderately severe/severe depression had more difficulties in performing daily-life activities (91%), as well as higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of 2.91 mIU/l (Interquartile range: 1.60-7.05).
Conclusions: There was a significant association between the prevalence of depression and hypothyroid patients who were being treated with levothyroxine, specifically in older patients, those with lower levels of education, and those with high TSH levels.
Key words: depression, hypothyroidism, PHQ-9, Hypothyroid patients
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