Role of Psychological Factors in Hypothyroidism in Women in Isfahan

The psychological factor and stress can be considered in etiology and treatment of hypothyroidism.Therefore, this study investigates psychological symptoms, quality of life, and stress in patients with hypothyroidismand normal controls.

This research is causal-comparative. The study population included all patients who have problems with hypothyroidism at the Shariati hospital in Isfahan. From this population, 50 patients with thyroid disorders were selected by convenience sampling and 50 normal subjects were selected by available sampling. Instruments included quality of life and stress scale questionnaire. Data analysis by was done byMANOVA in SPSS-19.

The results showed significant differences in stress (stress due to health (F = 8.432)), personal life (F = 11.394) and character and habits of thought (F= 18.889) and quality of life (physical functioning (F =78.893), limitations related to physical problems (F = 28.947), bodily pain (F = 40.357), general health, fatigue (F = 5.519), social functioning (F = 7.762), limitations related to psychological (F = 33.611) and mental, respectively (P < 0.05).

It seems that different psychological symptoms as well as stress and quality of life in these patients compared to normal subjects is due to physical and psychological problems in patients with hypothyroidism; therefore, these problems should be considered in the prevention and treatment of this disorder.