Mental Health Conditions and Hyperthyroidism.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in children and adolescents.
• Mental health conditions (MHCs) can significantly impact a child's well-being and development.
• The co-occurrence of hyperthyroidism and MHCs in pediatric populations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of pediatric patients with concurrent diagnoses of hyperthyroidism and MHCs.
• To compare the prevalence of MHCs in pediatric patients with and without hyperthyroidism.
• To investigate the temporal relationship between hyperthyroidism and MHC diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Military Health System database for fiscal years 2008-2016.
• Included pediatric beneficiaries aged 10-18 years with at least one month of eligibility.
• Calculated prevalence ratios to compare MHC diagnoses between hyperthyroid and non-hyperthyroid groups.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between hyperthyroidism and various MHCs, including ADHD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and suicidality.
• Prevalence ratios for MHCs ranged from 1.7 for ADHD to 4.9 for bipolar disorder.
• Suicidality was nearly 5 times more likely in pediatric patients with hyperthyroidism; most MHC diagnoses preceded hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• A clear association exists between pediatric hyperthyroidism and multiple MHCs.
• Clinicians should consider this association when evaluating pediatric patients with overlapping symptoms.
• Effective mental health screening tools and resources are crucial for managing these patients.