Stress is not associated with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in euthyroid women

Multiple genes and environmental factors play a role in the etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). In Graves' hyperthyroidism, stress is such an environmental factor, but whether it plays a role in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is unknown. We used validated questionnaires to evaluate an association between TPO antibodies, an early marker for AITD, and self-reported stress.

Recently Experienced Stressful Life Events, Daily Hassles, and mood (tendency to report positive and negative affects) were assessed in 759 euthyroid subjects.

TPO antibodies were found in 183/759 (24%) of subjects. The TPO-Ab positive subjects were older (39.7+/-12 vs. 34.2+/-12 years; p<.001) than the TPO-Ab negative subjects, but the number of daily hassles (24+/-14 vs. 25+/-14; p=.24), the number of stressful life events (10+/-6 vs. 11+/-6; p=.09), and the scores on the affect scales (22.1+/-7.4 vs. 22.2+/-7.3; p=.89 for negative affect and 38.2+/-5.1 vs. 38.3+/-5.3; p=.91 for positive affect) were similar in TPO-Ab positive and TPO- Ab negative subjects.

We found no association between recently experienced stressful life events, daily hassles or mood and the presence of TPO antibodies in these euthyroid women.