Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa
ABSTRACT Objective A strong association exists between anorexia nervosa (AN) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). The levels of these psychiatric symptoms observed in AN may be influenced by different biological factors related to poor nutritional status and...
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Wiley
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Brain and Behavior |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70685 |
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| author | Lama Mattar Anne‐Laure Delaunay Sylvie Berthoz Maeva Duquesnoy Sylvain Iceta Christophe Lalane EVHAN group Mouna Hanachi Nathalie Godart |
| author_facet | Lama Mattar Anne‐Laure Delaunay Sylvie Berthoz Maeva Duquesnoy Sylvain Iceta Christophe Lalane EVHAN group Mouna Hanachi Nathalie Godart |
| author_sort | Lama Mattar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Objective A strong association exists between anorexia nervosa (AN) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). The levels of these psychiatric symptoms observed in AN may be influenced by different biological factors related to poor nutritional status and changes in thyroid hormone levels. Yet, few studies have investigated this relationship. The objective of this study is to examine the association between depression, anxiety, and obsessive‐compulsive (OC) symptoms and circulating thyroid hormones in a sample of undernourished patients with AN. Methods Two hundred and two patients with AN (DSM‐IV TR) were included in the study and were assessed upon admission for duration of illness, psychiatric treatments, sociodemographic data, and different psychopathological symptoms [depression (BDI), anxiety (HAD scale), obsessive‐compulsive (MOCI), social phobia (LSAS fear sub‐scale), and Eating Attitudes Test‐26 (EAT‐26)] using psychometric scales. Nutritional status was assessed with body mass index (BMI) and body composition using bioelectrical impedance. Upon patient admission, free‐T3 (fT3), free‐T4 (fT4), and TSH thyroid hormone plasma levels were collected, as well as albumin and transthyretin levels. Results Taking into consideration confounding factors, particularly the duration of AN evolution, thyroid hormone (fT3 and/or fT4) blood levels can partially explain the levels of depression and OCD symptoms of the doubt type and social phobia in undernourished AN patients. Conclusion A high prevalence of these symptoms among malnourished individuals requires investigation to differentiate between symptoms directly related to the biological effects of malnutrition and those indicative of a comorbid condition such as depression or anxiety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b47b95f4f424fad9c02a5ff9d1c9b1d |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2162-3279 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain and Behavior |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b47b95f4f424fad9c02a5ff9d1c9b1d2025-07-28T08:47:02ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-07-01157n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70685Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia NervosaLama Mattar0Anne‐Laure Delaunay1Sylvie Berthoz2Maeva Duquesnoy3Sylvain Iceta4Christophe Lalane5EVHAN groupMouna Hanachi6Nathalie Godart7Nutrition Program, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Arts and Sciences Lebanese American University Beirut LebanonService Universitaire De Psychiatrie De L'enfant Et De L'adolescent Centre Hospitalier de Versailles Versailles FranceUniv. Bordeaux, INCIA, CNRS, UMR 5287, F‐33000 Bordeaux France Bordeaux FranceParis‐Saclay University, INRAE, AgroParisTech MICALIS Institute Jouy‐en‐Josas FranceResearch Center of the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Québec QC CanadaUniversité Paris Cité Paris FranceClinical Nutrition department, Paul Brousse University Hospital, Assistance Publique‐Hôpitaux de Paris (AP‐HP) Villejuif FranceUFR Simone Veil, UVSQ Montigny le Bretonneux FranceABSTRACT Objective A strong association exists between anorexia nervosa (AN) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). The levels of these psychiatric symptoms observed in AN may be influenced by different biological factors related to poor nutritional status and changes in thyroid hormone levels. Yet, few studies have investigated this relationship. The objective of this study is to examine the association between depression, anxiety, and obsessive‐compulsive (OC) symptoms and circulating thyroid hormones in a sample of undernourished patients with AN. Methods Two hundred and two patients with AN (DSM‐IV TR) were included in the study and were assessed upon admission for duration of illness, psychiatric treatments, sociodemographic data, and different psychopathological symptoms [depression (BDI), anxiety (HAD scale), obsessive‐compulsive (MOCI), social phobia (LSAS fear sub‐scale), and Eating Attitudes Test‐26 (EAT‐26)] using psychometric scales. Nutritional status was assessed with body mass index (BMI) and body composition using bioelectrical impedance. Upon patient admission, free‐T3 (fT3), free‐T4 (fT4), and TSH thyroid hormone plasma levels were collected, as well as albumin and transthyretin levels. Results Taking into consideration confounding factors, particularly the duration of AN evolution, thyroid hormone (fT3 and/or fT4) blood levels can partially explain the levels of depression and OCD symptoms of the doubt type and social phobia in undernourished AN patients. Conclusion A high prevalence of these symptoms among malnourished individuals requires investigation to differentiate between symptoms directly related to the biological effects of malnutrition and those indicative of a comorbid condition such as depression or anxiety.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70685anorexia nervosaanxietydepressionmalnutritionobsessive‐compulsivethyroid hormone levels |
| spellingShingle | Lama Mattar Anne‐Laure Delaunay Sylvie Berthoz Maeva Duquesnoy Sylvain Iceta Christophe Lalane EVHAN group Mouna Hanachi Nathalie Godart Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa Brain and Behavior anorexia nervosa anxiety depression malnutrition obsessive‐compulsive thyroid hormone levels |
| title | Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa |
| title_full | Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa |
| title_short | Exploring the Interplay Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Anorexia Nervosa |
| title_sort | exploring the interplay between thyroid hormone levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression in anorexia nervosa |
| topic | anorexia nervosa anxiety depression malnutrition obsessive‐compulsive thyroid hormone levels |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70685 |
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