The Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Association Between Thyroid Function and Depression: A Population-Based Study

Roa Dueñas, Oscar Hernando; Hofman, Amy; Luik, Annemarie I.; Medici, Marco; Peeters, Robin P.; Chaker, Layal

doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad620

The Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Association Between Thyroid Function and Depression: A Population-Based Study

Journal Article · Thu Oct 19 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgad620· OSTI ID:2338212

; Hofman, Amy; Luik, Annemarie I.; ; ;

Abstract Context

An association of thyroid function with mood disorders has been widely suggested, but very few studies have examined this association longitudinally.

Objective

We assessed the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between thyroid function and depression in a population-based cohort.

Methods

A total of 9471 individuals were included in cross-sectional analyses, of whom 8366 had longitudinal data. At baseline, we assessed thyroid function using serum samples (thyrotropin [TSH], free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and depressive symptoms using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Incident depressive events (n = 1366) were continuously followed up with the CES-D and clinical interviews. We analyzed the cross-sectional association of thyroid function and thyroid disease with depressive symptoms using linear and logistic regression, and the longitudinal association with Cox proportional hazard models for depressive events.

Results

Lower TSH levels and lower and higher FT4 levels were cross-sectionally associated with more depressive symptoms with a B value of −0.07 per 1 unit increase of natural log-transformed TSH (95% CI −0.11; −0.04). Furthermore, hypothyroidism was cross-sectionally associated with less depressive symptoms and hyperthyroidism with more depressive symptoms. Longitudinally, there was a U-shaped association between FT4 and incident depressive events but only in euthyroid participants.

Conclusion

We show a cross-sectional association between thyroid (dys)function with depressive symptoms, and a U-shaped association between FT4 and incident depressive events in euthyroid individuals. Our findings suggest an association of thyroid function with the risk of developing depression, albeit small. Reverse causation and additional underlying factors may also contribute to the association.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Electricity (OE), Advanced Grid Research & Development. Power Systems Engineering Research

OSTI ID:: 2338212

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2308868

Journal Information:: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 109; ISSN 0021-972X

Publisher:: The Endocrine SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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