Hypotiroidism, obesity and depression: Rings of the chain

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of depression in normal weight, overweight and obese patients and to identify chronic diseases related to depression in obese patients.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 200 obese patients with follow-up at the Obesity Center of the Health Sciences University Antalya Training and Research Hospital between November 2018 and September 2019, and 190 normal and overweight patients who applied to Family Medicine Clinic and agreed to fill the Beck Depression Scale (BDI). Patients who were divided into three groups as normal weight, overweight and obese were compared in terms of BDI scores; chronic diseases which increase the risk of depression among obese patients were researched. Seventeen and above BDI scores were evaluated as clinical depression.

Results: 81.5% of the patients were female and 18.5% were male. The mean age was 45.4±12.6 years. The mean BDO score and the frequency of depression was significantly higher in obese patients (p<0.001). Patients with depressive symptoms had higher body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) than those without and chronic diseases were more common in said patients. Especially in patients with severe depressive symptoms, the rate of accompanying hypothyroidism was found to be significantly higher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that depression had a positive relationship with BMI and hypothyroidism in obese patients.

Conclusion: It is found that obese patients, especially accompanied by hypothyroidism are at greater risk for depression. Individuals with obesity and hypothyroidism who are at risk for depression should be handled in an integrative approach, and the relationship between hypothyroidism-obesity-depression should be broken by effective treatment.