Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Depressive Symptoms among Elderly: A Prospective Cohort Study

Blum, Manuel; Wijsman, Liselotte W; Virgini, Vanessa S; Bauer, Douglas C; den Elzen, Wendy P J; Jukema, J Wouter; Buckley, Brendan M; de Craen, Anton J M; Kearney, Patricia M; Stott, David J; Gussekloo, Jacobjin; Westendorp, Rudi G J; Mooijaart, Simon P; Rodondi, Nicolas (2016). Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Depressive Symptoms among Elderly: A Prospective Cohort Study. Neuroendocrinology, 103(3-4), pp. 291-299. Karger 10.1159/000437387

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BACKGROUND

Subclinical hypothyroidism has been associated with depressive symptoms in cross-sectional studies, but prospective data and data on subclinical hyperthyroidism are scarce.

METHODS

In the Leiden sub-study of the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) among adults aged 70-82 years with pre-existing cardiovascular disease or known cardiovascular risk factors, TSH and free T4 levels were measured at baseline and repeated after 6 months to define persistent thyroid function status. Main outcome measures were depressive symptoms, assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS) at baseline and after 3 years. All analyses were adjusted for age, gender and education.

RESULTS

Among 606 participants (41% women, mean age 75 years) without anti-depressant medication, GDS scores at baseline did not differ for participants with subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 47; GDS 1.75, 95% CI 1.29-2.20, p = 0.50) or subclinical hyperthyroidism (n = 13; GDS 1.64 [0.78-2.51], p = 1.00) compared to euthyroid participants (n = 546, mean GDS 1.60 [1.46-1.73]). After 3 years, compared to euthyroid participants, change in GDS scores did not differ for participants with subclinical hypothyroidism (ΔGDS -0.03 [-0.50-0.44], p = 0.80), while subclinical hyperthyroidism was associated with an increase in GDS scores (ΔGDS 1.13 [0.32-1.93] p = 0.04). All results were similar for persistent subclinical thyroid dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

In this largest prospective study on the association of persistent subclinical thyroid dysfunction and depression, subclinical hypothyroidism was not associated with increased depressive symptoms among older adults at high cardiovascular risk. Persistent subclinical hyperthyroidism might be associated with increased depressive symptoms, which requires confirmation in a larger prospective study. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Clinic of General Internal Medicine
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Clinic of General Internal Medicine > Centre of Competence for General Internal Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Blum, Manuel, Rodondi, Nicolas

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0028-3835

Publisher:

Karger

Language:

English

Submitter:

Jacques Donzé

Date Deposited:

29 Mar 2016 10:11

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:52

Publisher DOI:

10.1159/000437387

PubMed ID:

26202797

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.77301

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/77301

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