Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in patients of Depression attending Tertiary medical care.

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted in various parts of world as well as in India have revealed that Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH) is one of the risk factors for Depression. Several studies have found depression symptoms as a prevalent finding in patients with SCH. SCH has been found to have a negative effect in treatment of depression as well. AIM: To study the prevalence of SCH in patients with diagnosis of depressive episode, attending tertiary medical care METHODS: Cross sectional Study conducted on 78 patients (selected by consecutive sampling) with a diagnosis of Depressive episode visited Govt Hospital for Mental Care, Visakhapatnam from March 2021 to September 2021. Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were applied and blood levels of TSH, T4 and T3 were evaluated. RESULTS: In our study 6.78% of study population were found to have SCH with mildly elevated TSH level and T3, T4 level WNL. HAMD and MADRS Scale scores revealed mild to moderate depression in 73.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: Similar to studies conducted elsewhere, our study also revealed SCH to be an important associated finding in patients with depression. Treating subclinical hypothyroidism may be a game changer in treating depressive episodes in such patients.