Summary: Over half of individuals with treated hypothyroidism exhibit a type D personality, characterized by negative emotions and social withdrawal. Conducted by researchers across Europe, this survey of over 3,500 people with hypothyroidism highlights a significant correlation between type D personality and poor treatment outcomes, including persistent symptoms and dissatisfaction.
This novel connection suggests potential shared underlying causes or that individuals with type D personality may perceive their treatment and symptoms more negatively. The findings prompt a call for further research to explore the impact of personality traits on hypothyroidism treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
Key Facts:
- Over 50% of people with treated hypothyroidism in the study were found to have a type D personality.
- Individuals with type D personality and hypothyroidism reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes.
- The research suggests a deeper exploration into personality traits could pave the way for personalized interventions aimed at improving treatment satisfaction and quality of life for patients with hypothyroidism.
Source: Endocrine Society
New research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism finds a high prevalence of type D personality among people with hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Between 10-15% of people with treated hypothyroidism experience persistent symptoms despite achieving normal thyroid hormone levels, and the underlying causes are unclear.
Type D personality, which is characterized by pessimism, worry, stress, negative emotions and social withdrawal, is sometimes associated with poor health status and symptom burden, but this association has not previously been studied in people with hypothyroidism.
The researchers of the current study surveyed over 3,500 people with self-reported, treated hypothyroidism and found over half of these people had type D personality. They asked questions to better understand their quality of life and why some patients were dissatisfied with their treatment outcomes.
“People with hypothyroidism and type D personality may experience more negative treatment outcomes than those without type D personality,” said study author Petros Perros, M.D., of Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
“We think that there are two likely interpretations, which may not be mutually exclusive – type D personality and hypothyroidism share similar underlying causes, or people with type D personality may perceive treatment outcomes more negatively.”
They confirmed some patients with hypothyroidism were dissatisfied with their care and experienced persistent unexplained symptoms. People with hypothyroidism who had type D personality had particularly high levels of anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction with treatment, persistent symptoms and poor quality of life.
“Further research is needed to confirm our findings and determine if it is possible to predict how newly diagnosed patients with hypothyroidism will respond to treatment based on personality traits. If so, studies could be designed specifically for such patients, to determine if interventions can improve outcomes,” Perros said.
Other study authors include: Endre Vezekenyi Nagy of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary; Enrico Papini of Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano in Rome, Italy; Juan Abad-Madroñero and Alan J. Poots of Picker Institute Europe in Oxford, England; Peter Lakwijk of the Thyroid Federation International in Hoofddorp, Netherlands; Floortje Mols of Tilburg University in Tilburg, Netherlands; and Laszlo Hegedüs of Odense University Hospital in Odense, Denmark.
Funding: The study was funded by the Institut Biochimique SA (IBSA).
About this hypothyroidism and personality research news
Author: Colleen Williams
Source: Endocrine Society
Contact: Colleen Williams – Endocrine Society
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Hypothyroidism and Type D Personality: Results From E-MPATHY, a Cross-sectional International Online Patient Survey” by Petros Perros et al. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Abstract
Hypothyroidism and Type D Personality: Results From E-MPATHY, a Cross-sectional International Online Patient Survey
Context
Between 10% and 15% of people with hypothyroidism experience persistent symptoms, despite achieving biochemical euthyroidism. The underlying causes are unclear. Type D personality (a vulnerability factor for general psychological distress) is associated with poor health status and symptom burden but has not been studied in people with hypothyroidism.
Objective
To investigate type D personality in hypothyroidism and explore associations with other characteristics and patient-reported outcomes.
Design
Multinational, cross-sectional survey.
Setting
Online.
Participants
Individuals with self-reported, treated hypothyroidism.
Intervention
Questionnaire.
Main Outcome Measures
Type D personality and associations with baseline characteristics, control of the symptoms of hypothyroidism by medication, satisfaction with care and treatment of hypothyroidism, impact of hypothyroidism on everyday living.
Results
A total of 3915 responses were received, 3523 of which were valid. The prevalence of type D personality was 54.2%. Statistically significant associations were found between type D personality and several respondent characteristics (age, marital status, ethnicity, household income, comorbidities, type of treatment for hypothyroidism, most recent TSH level), anxiety, depression, somatization, poor control of the symptoms of hypothyroidism by medication, dissatisfaction with care and treatment of hypothyroidism, and a negative impact of hypothyroidism on everyday living).
Discussion
Our study found a high prevalence of type D personality among people with hypothyroidism who responded to the survey. Type D personality may be an important determinant of dissatisfaction with treatment and care among people with hypothyroidism. Our findings require independent confirmation. Close collaboration between the disciplines of thyroidology and psychology is likely to be key in progressing our understanding in this area.
