Thyroid disorders in psychiatric patients: a descriptive study in a psychiatric hospital

Abstract

Introduction Thyroid disorders can present with psychiatric symptons similar to depression, and, at the same time, certain treatments, like litio, can cause changes in thyroid function. Given, therefore, the importance for the treatment and care of patients, the study of thyroid function is one of the parametres that should be requested in patients with psychiatric pathology. Objectives To study the frequency of thyroid disorders in patients who where admitted to a psychiatric short stay unit. Methods Retrospective descriptive observational study is carried out in the acute stay unit of a psychiatric hospital. As a sample, all patients admitted to the unit over a period of three months. During admission, their sociodemographic data, the treatment they receive and their diagnosis are recorded. Secondly, blood test are performed whith differents parameters, including TSH values. Results In the total sample of 172 patients, 8 of them have TSH abnormalities. 7 of them, all women, present hypothyroidism values. A single male patient presented values of hyperthryroidism. Conclusions According to the present study, 4,6% of the patients present alterations at the TSH at admission, although except in one case, the values were not markedly altered. The thyroid study at admission allows detecting cases of altered TSH that are amenable to treatment and monitoring. Disclosure of Interest None Declared