Hypothyroidism and Depression: A Narrative Review

Biological rhythms in premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) typically experience a range of psychological and physiological symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life. Disruption in biological rhythms, including alterations of the sleep-wake cycle, have been implicated in PMS/PMDD, though literature is still growing to substantiate these findings. The objective of this study is to systematically review the available literature on biological rhythms disruption in PMS/PMDD.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on four databases (Pubmed, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science) on December 3rd, 2021. This search yielded a total of 575 articles that assessed the relationship between biological rhythms and PMS/PMDD/premenstrual symptoms.

RESULTS

After the exclusion of irrelevant articles and hand-searching references, 25 articles were included in this systematic review. Some studies showed that women with PMS/PMDD present lower melatonin levels, elevated nighttime core body temperature, and worse subjective perception of sleep quality when compared to women without PMS/PMDD. Other biological rhythms parameters showed either no differences between groups (wrist actimetry) or conflicting results (objective sleep parameters, cortisol, prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone).

CONCLUSION

Current research demonstrates that women with PMS/PMDD experience lower melatonin levels, higher body temperature, and worse subjective perception of sleep quality. This review outlines some possible mechanisms behind these findings and proposes recommendations for future research. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD42020149921.

Development and validation of a nomogram for suicide attempts in patients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder

Objective

The risk of suicide can be decreased by accurately identifying high-risk suicide groups and implementing the right interventions. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram for suicide attempts (SA) in patients with first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

This study undertook a cross-sectional analysis of 1,718 patients diagnosed with FEDN MDD, providing comprehensive clinical data from September 2016 to December 2018. Data on anthropometric and sociodemographic factors were gathered, and the severity of depression and anxiety was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), respectively. Additionally, thyroid hormone levels, lipid profile parameters, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Suicide attempt (SA) history was verified based on an amalgamation of medical records, patient interviews, and family interviews. Participants were randomly divided into a training group (70%, n = 1,204) and a validation group (30%, n = 514). In the training group, LASSO analysis and multivariate regression were used to identify variables associated with SA. A nomogram was then constructed using the identified risk factors to estimate the likelihood of SA within the training group. To assess the accuracy, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was utilized, and calibration plots were employed to evaluate calibration. Additionally, decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to assess the precision of the model. Finally, internal validation was carried out using the validation group.

Results

A practical nomogram has been successfully constructed, incorporating HAMD, HAMA, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) parameters, to estimate the probability of SA in Chinese patients diagnosed with FEDN MDD. The pooled area under the ROC for SA risk in both the training and validation groups was found to be 0.802 (95% CI: 0.771 to 0.832) and 0.821 (95% CI: 0.774 to 0.868), respectively. Calibration analysis revealed a satisfactory correlation between the nomogram probabilities and the actual observed probabilities. The clinical applicability of the nomogram was confirmed through decision curve analysis. To enhance accessibility for clinicians and researchers, an online version of the nomogram can be accessed at https://doctorjunjunliu.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp/.

Conclusions

We constructed and validated a nomogram for the early detection of FEDN MDD patients with a high risk of SA, thereby contributing to the implementation of effective suicide prevention programs.

Effect of hypothyroidism on short-term outcomes after autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction

Hypothyroidism has high prevalence in elderly women, which overlaps with the patient population who opt for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. While hypothyroidism was shown to impact outcomes in other surgeries, its effect on breast reconstruction has not been established. This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of patients with and without hypothyroidism who underwent autologous (ABR) and implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR), respectively. Patients having ABR or IBR were identified in the National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015-2020. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to compare in-hospital outcomes between patients with and without hypothyroidism, adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. There were 12,765 patients underwent ABR, where 1591 (12.46%) of them had hypothyroidism, while 17,670 patients had IBR with 1,984 (11.23%) having hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid patients had a higher risk of hemorrhage/hematoma (aOR = 1.254, 95 CI 1.079-1.457, p < 0.01) after ABR. However, there were no differences in terms of mortality and organ system complications, nor wound dehiscence, superficial/deep wound complications, seroma, flap revision, excessive scarring, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, vascular complications, infection, sepsis, transfer out, length of stay (LOS), nor hospital charge between patients with and without hypothyroidism after ABR. All postoperative outcomes were comparable between hypothyroid patients and controls after IBR. While breast reconstruction is generally safe for hypothyroid patients, preoperative screening for hypothyroidism may be beneficial for those undergoing ABR. In ABR, hypothyroidism correction and blood management may help prevent bleeding complications in hypothyroid patients. Future studies should explore the long-term prognosis of hypothyroid patients after breast reconstruction.

Gut microbiota, nutrition, and mental health

The human brain remains one of the greatest challenges for modern medicine, yet it is one of the most integral and sometimes overlooked aspects of medicine. The human brain consists of roughly 100 billion neurons, 100 trillion neuronal connections and consumes about 20-25% of the body's energy. Emerging evidence highlights that insufficient or inadequate nutrition is linked to an increased risk of brain health, mental health, and psychological functioning compromise. A core component of this relationship includes the intricate dynamics of the brain-gut-microbiota (BGM) system, which is a progressively recognized factor in the sphere of mental/brain health. The bidirectional relationship between the brain, gut, and gut microbiota along the BGM system not only affects nutrient absorption and utilization, but also it exerts substantial influence on cognitive processes, mood regulation, neuroplasticity, and other indices of mental/brain health. Neuroplasticity is the brain's capacity for adaptation and neural regeneration in response to stimuli. Understanding neuroplasticity and considering interventions that enhance the remarkable ability of the brain to change through experience constitutes a burgeoning area of research that has substantial potential for improving well-being, resilience, and overall brain health through optimal nutrition and lifestyle interventions. The nexus of lifestyle interventions and both academic and clinical perspectives of nutritional neuroscience emerges as a potent tool to enhance patient outcomes, proactively mitigate mental/brain health challenges, and improve the management and treatment of existing mental/brain health conditions by championing health-promoting dietary patterns, rectifying nutritional deficiencies, and seamlessly integrating nutrition-centered strategies into clinical care.

Screening factors affecting proper levothyroxine therapy among patients with primary hypothyroidism: a cross-sectional study

Primary hypothyroidism, the most common form of hypothyroidism, requires effective patient understanding and management for successful long-term treatment. This study aimed to investigate the influence of patient knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), depression, and medication adherence on treatment response in primary hypothyroidism. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Al Hassan Metabolism, Endocrine, and Diabetes Center (HMEDC) in Iraq between September 2022 and March 2023. We enrolled 111 patients with signs and symptoms of primary hypothyroidism over 6 months. A validated questionnaire assessed patient knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), depression, and medication adherence. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured to assess treatment response. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, with categorical variables presented as percentages. The student's t-test was used to assess statistical significance, with P - valuess below 0.05 considered significant and P - values below 0.01 considered highly significant. The mean age of patients was 45 ± 11.9 years. Approximately 34% of patients had insufficient knowledge, and 30% indicated a positive attitude towards their treatment. A total of 35% of patients had excellent practice. There was no statistically significant association between KAP and age or gender. There was a significant positive correlation between higher levels of education and improved KAP scores. A total of 44.1% of participants reported moderate depression, and 58% demonstrated adherence to levothyroxine (LT4) treatment. Despite good adherence, the combination of fair knowledge and moderate-to-severe depression resulted in suboptimal outcomes for replacement treatment.

Distinguishing features of depression in dementia from primary psychiatric disease

Depression is a common and devastating neuropsychiatric symptom in the elderly and in patients with dementia. In particular, nearly 80% of patients with Alzheimer's Disease dementia experience depression during disease development and progression. However, it is unknown whether the depression in patients with dementia shares the same molecular mechanisms as depression presenting as primary psychiatric disease or occurs and persists through alternative mechanisms. In this review, we discuss how the clinical presentation and treatment differ between depression in dementia and as a primary psychiatric disease, with a focus on major depressive disorder. Then, we hypothesize several molecular mechanisms that may be unique to depression in dementia such as neuropathological changes, inflammation, and vascular events. Finally, we discuss existing issues and future directions for investigation and treatment of depression in dementia.

Thyroid function, renal function, and depression: an association study

Objective

To investigate the correlations between thyroid function, renal function, and depression.

Methods

Clinical data of 67 patients with Major depressive disorder (MDD) and 36 healthy control subjects between 2018 and 2021 were collected to compare thyroid and renal function. Thyroid and renal functions of depressed patients were then correlated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA).Spearman correlation analysis was used to find the correlation between renal function, thyroid function, and depression. A logistic regression was performed to find significant predictors of depression.

Results

Triiodothyronine protamine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine protamine (FT3), uric acid, sodium, and anion gap were lower in the MDD group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis of thyroid function, renal function, and factor terms of HAMD in the MDD group suggested that diurnal variation, hopelessness, and depression level were positively correlated with thyrotropin (TSH) (p < 0.05). Cognitive disturbance, retardation, and depression level were negatively correlated with creatinine (p < 0.05). Diurnal variation was negatively correlated with sodium ion (p < 0.01); hopelessness and depression level were positively correlated with chloride ion (p < 0.05); diurnal variation, retardation, and depression level were negatively correlated with anion gap (p < 0.05). Diurnal variation (p < 0.01) and retardation (p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with osmolality. Cognitive disturbance and depression level were positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p < 0.05). In the MDD group, correlation analysis of thyroid function, renal function, and HAMA factor terms suggested that the total HAMA score and anxiety level were positively correlated with chloride ion (p < 0.05); psychic anxiety, total HAMA score, and anxiety level were negatively correlated with anion gap (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a low level of anion gap was an independent risk factor for depression and anxiety levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Low thyroid function and reduced waste metabolized by the kidneys in patients with MDD suggest a low intake and low metabolism in depressed patients. In addition, subtle fluctuations in the anion gap in depressed patients were strongly correlated with the degree of depression and anxiety.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Major Depressive Disorder Patients with Dyslipidemia

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence of comorbidity with subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing the comorbidity of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with dyslipidemic MDD who were hospitalized for the first time in a Chinese population.

Methods

The study incorporated 708 first-time hospitalized MDD patients, all with dyslipidemia. Data collection encompassed socio-demographic information, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid, and thyroid hormone levels. Participants were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Positive Symptom Subscale (PSS).

Results

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in dyslipidemic MDD patients with the first hospitalization was 39.97%. The course of the disease, age at onset, HAMA score, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were risk factors for subclinical hypothyroidism in dyslipidemic MDD patients. The course of disease, age at onset, HAMA score, HAMD score, FBG, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels were observed to influence serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels.

Conclusion

MDD patients with dyslipidemia have a high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism, and the outcome is associated with anxiety, fasting glucose, and lipids. This study provides a potential biomarker for the identification of co-morbid subclinical hypothyroidism in MDD patients with dyslipidaemia.

Whole Person Modeling: a transdisciplinary approach to mental health research

The growing global burden of mental illness has prompted calls for innovative research strategies. Theoretical models of mental health include complex contributions of biological, psychosocial, experiential, and other environmental influences. Accordingly, neuropsychiatric research has self-organized into largely isolated disciplines working to decode each individual contribution. However, research directly modeling objective biological measurements in combination with cognitive, psychological, demographic, or other environmental measurements is only now beginning to proliferate. This review aims to (1) to describe the landscape of modern mental health research and current movement towards integrative study, (2) to provide a concrete framework for quantitative integrative research, which we call Whole Person Modeling, (3) to explore existing and emerging techniques and methods used in Whole Person Modeling, and (4) to discuss our observations about the scarcity, potential value, and untested aspects of highly transdisciplinary research in general. Whole Person Modeling studies have the potential to provide a better understanding of multilevel phenomena, deliver more accurate diagnostic and prognostic tests to aid in clinical decision making, and test long standing theoretical models of mental illness. Some current barriers to progress include challenges with interdisciplinary communication and collaboration, systemic cultural barriers to transdisciplinary career paths, technical challenges in model specification, bias, and data harmonization, and gaps in transdisciplinary educational programs. We hope to ease anxiety in the field surrounding the often mysterious and intimidating world of transdisciplinary, data-driven mental health research and provide a useful orientation for students or highly specialized researchers who are new to this area.

Defining diurnal fluctuations in mouse choroid plexus and CSF at high molecular, spatial, and temporal resolution

Transmission and secretion of signals via the choroid plexus (ChP) brain barrier can modulate brain states via regulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. Here, we developed a platform to analyze diurnal variations in male mouse ChP and CSF. Ribosome profiling of ChP epithelial cells revealed diurnal translatome differences in metabolic machinery, secreted proteins, and barrier components. Using ChP and CSF metabolomics and blood-CSF barrier analyses, we observed diurnal changes in metabolites and cellular junctions. We then focused on transthyretin (TTR), a diurnally regulated thyroid hormone chaperone secreted by the ChP. Diurnal variation in ChP TTR depended on Bmal1 clock gene expression. We achieved real-time tracking of CSF-TTR in awake TtrmNeonGreen mice via multi-day intracerebroventricular fiber photometry. Diurnal changes in ChP and CSF TTR levels correlated with CSF thyroid hormone levels. These datasets highlight an integrated platform for investigating diurnal control of brain states by the ChP and CSF.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is causally associated with hypothyroidism, but not hyperthyroidism: A Mendelian randomization study

Background

The relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and thyroid diseases is still controversial. Due to confounders and reverse causation, previous studies were not convincing. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SLE and hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

We performed a two-step analysis using bidirectional two-sample univariable and multivariable MR (MVMR) to explore the causality of SLE and hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets, including 402,195 samples and 39,831,813 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the first step analysis, with SLE as exposure and thyroid diseases as outcomes, 38 and 37 independent SNPs strongly (P < 5*10^-8) associated with SLE on hyperthyroidism or SLE on hypothyroidism were extracted as valid instrumental variables (IVs). In the second step analysis, with thyroid diseases as exposures and SLE as outcome, 5 and 37 independent SNPs strongly associated with hyperthyroidism on SLE or hypothyroidism on SLE were extracted as valid IVs. In addition, MVMR analysis was performed in the second step analysis to eliminate the interference of SNPs that were strongly associated with both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. 2 and 35 valid IVs for hyperthyroidism on SLE and hypothyroidism on SLE were obtained in MVMR analysis. MR results of two steps analysis were estimated respectively by multiplicative random effects-inverse variance weighted (MRE-IVW), simple mode (SM), weighted median (WME) and MR-Egger regression methods. Sensitivity analysis and visualization of MR results were performed by heterogeneity test, pleiotropy test, leave-one-out test, scatter plots, forest plots and funnel plots.

Results

The MRE-IVW method in the first step of MR analysis revealed that SLE was causally associated with hypothyroidism (OR = 1.049, 95% CI = 1.020-1.079, P < 0.001), but not causally associated with hyperthyroidism (OR = 1.045, 95% CI = 0.987-1.107, P = 0.130). In the inverse MR analysis, the MRE-IVW method revealed that both hyperthyroidism (OR = 1.920, 95% CI = 1.310-2.814, P < 0.001) and hypothyroidism (OR = 1.630, 95% CI = 1.125-2.362, P = 0.010) were causally associated with SLE. Results from other MR methods were consistent with MRE-IVW. However, when MVMR analysis was performed, there was no longer a causal relationship of hyperthyroidism on SLE (OR = 1.395, 95% CI = 0.984-1.978, P = 0.061), nor was there a causal relationship of hypothyroidism on SLE (OR = 1.290, 95% CI = 0.823-2.022, P = 0.266). The stability and reliability of the results were confirmed by sensitivity analysis and visualization.

Conclusions

Our univariable and multivariable MR analysis revealed that systemic lupus erythematosus was causally associated with hypothyroidism, but did not provided evidence to support a causal relationship of hypothyroidism on SLE or between SLE and hyperthyroidism.