Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Hypothyroidism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Dakar, Senegal

Momar Camara*, Doriane Kaburundi, Sokhna Seck, Rokhaya Gueye, El Hadji Makhtar BA, Ngoné D Diack, Djiby Sow and Aïda Sylla

Background: Hypothyroidism is frequently associated with affective disturbances; however, the burden of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Senegalese patients remains poorly documented.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and identify the associated clinical, biological, and sociodemographic factors among patients with hypothyroidism at the Abass Ndao National Hospital Center in Dakar, Senegal.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from November 2024 to April 2025 involving 40 adult patients (≥ 18 years) with hypothyroidism. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that covered sociodemographic, clinical, and biochemical variables. Anxiety and depression were assessed by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores of ≥ 8 on each subscale were considered clinically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7.0, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

Results: The prevalences of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 67% and 65%, respectively. The co-occurrence of both conditions was observed in 52.5% of the participants. Elevated TSH levels (> 4.5 mUI/L) were significantly associated with anxiety (p = 0.037) and depression (p = 0.008). Depression was also correlated with poor treatment adherence (p = 0.026) and longer disease duration (p = 0.031), whereas anxiety was more frequent among inactive participants (p = 0.037). No significant associations were found with age, sex, marital status, or educational level.

Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among patients with hypothyroidism in Dakar, and are closely linked to biochemical imbalance and poor therapeutic adherence. Routine psychological screening and adherence support strategies should be integrated into hypothyroidism management to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:

Published on: Nov 5, 2025 Pages: 25-31

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-5460.000102
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