A Comparison between the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Patients with Hypothyroidism and Normal People Referred to Motahari Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by a decrease in the thyroid gland hormones. This disease is very common at all age ranges. Regarding its long term therapeutic procedure, this disease can affect the quality of life and the mental health of the patients. The present study aimed to compare the quality of life and mental health in hypothyroid patients and normal people. METHODS: This descriptive-analytic investigation was performed using convenience sampling on 95 patients with hypothyroidism and 95 normal cases referring to Motahari clinic between October 2014 and August 2015. Data were collected through General Health Questionnaire (consisted of 4 fields; physical signs, anxiety, social function disorder, depression) and Quality of life Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Independent t- test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Variance analysis. P-values<0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Both control (normal) and test (patient) groups were matched in demographic characteristics in this study (P>0.001). The results showed that there was no significant difference between the quality of life of patients and that of the normal people (test and control groups) (P>0.001). But the comparison of mental health level of patients (59.70) and normal people (48.68) showed a significant difference at all aspects (P<0.001) CONCLUSION: Considering and improving the mental health status of such patients can be positively effective in their treatment procedure. Considering this key point in a country like Iran with rich religious backgrounds can be useful in designing self-care and therapeutic programs and even for all people.