Comorbidity of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Psychiatric Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern India.

Background and Aims: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is associated with a multitude ofneuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment. Though it is one of the most common cause ofacquired primary hypothyroidism, there is a dearth of literature regarding the psychiatricpresentations of thyroid autoimmunity in southern India. Objectives: To study the psychiatriccomorbidities in patients with AITD and determine the relationship between thyroid peroxidaseantibody level with severity of psychiatric illness and cognitive impairment. Materialsand Methods: This cross-sectional study of one year duration was conducted in department of Psychiatry ofatertiary-care hospital in Kerala. Subjects with AITD andnew onset behavioural symptoms wereselected, diagnosis was made based on DSM 5 diagnostic criteria, illness severity was assessed usingHAM-A, HAM-D, BPRS rating scales and severity of cognitive impairment was assessed usingMoCA scale. Statistical analysis was done using percentage, mean , SD andSpearmann’s correlationcoefficient. Results: Out of 60 subjects, 82%were women and 52%had a family history of thyroiddysfunction. The most common psychiatric diagnosis were Major Depressive Disorder, Panic disorderand Schizophreniform disorderwith moderate to severe illness and mild cognitive impairment. Significant positive correlation between thyroid peroxidase antibody level and severity of depressiveand anxiety disorder was found. Conclusion: The common psychiatric comorbities, its severity andcognitive impairment in AITD and its relation with thyroid peroxidase antibody level could bedescribed. A holistic teamwork comprising of endocrinologists and psychiatrists can help in earlydetection and management of these issues.