Depression and anxiety are the commonest psychiatric disorder in patient with thyroid disorders but continues to be significantly under-recognized and under treated. As a result, it may affect quality of life.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among thyroid patients and their associates.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Endocrinology Clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre. The patients were interviewed by using MINI International Neuropsychiatry Inventory (MINI) for diagnostic assessment. Socio-demographic and the clinical data were obtained by interviewing the patients and also from the case notes. Quality of life was assessed by using Short Form Health Questionnaires (SF-36).

A total of 160 subjects were recruited. Current prevalence of 9.4% for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and 22.5% for Anxiety Disorder (AD) were found using MINI. Lifetime prevalence was 17.5% for MDD and 27.5% for AD. Panic disorder was the commonest type of anxiety disorder (16.9%) followed by generalized anxiety disorder (11.3%), social phobia (4.4%), agoraphobia (2.5%) and obsessive compulsive disorder (1.9%). Having past history of depression or anxiety was highly significantly associated with MDD (p< 0.001, OR 276.6, 95% CI= 33.2-2306.9) and AD (p< 0.001, OR=16, 95% CI=4.9-51.6). The score for quality of life was lower in those with MDD and AD. It was more pronounced among MDD patients.

The prevalence of MDD and AD among patients with thyroid disorders should be recognised. In addition, patients with MDD and AD had poorer quality of life.