Prevalence and Association Factors of Anxiety and Depression in Thai Patient with Tinnitus

Background: Tinnitus has demonstrated varying impacts on quality of life and is linked to various psychological and psychosomatic problems. The most common psychiatric disorders among tinnitus patients were anxiety and depression. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression associated with tinnitus in Thai patients and to identify risk factors. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital. Three-hundred subjects who had subjective tinnitus for less than five years were included in the present study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was performed to evaluate the impact of tinnitus on daily life. The variables associated with anxiety and depression in tinnitus patients were explored. Results: Thirty-nine out of 300 tinnitus subjects, or 13% (95% CI 9.6 to 17.2) suffered from anxiety, and 26 of 300 subjects, or 8.7% (95% CI 5.9 to 12.2) suffered from depression. There were 21 subjects, or 7% (95% CI 4.5 to 10.3) who demonstrated both anxiety and depression. Individuals aged over 60 were statistically significantly less likely to experience anxiety (adjusted OR 0.22, p=0.016, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.76). There was no statistically significant difference in depression (adjusted OR 0.39, p=0.178, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.64). THI’s severe and catastrophic handicaps were statistically significantly related to anxiety and depression in tinnitus patients. Surprisingly, intermittent tinnitus was 19.63 times more likely to have depression than persistent tinnitus (adjusted OR 19.63, p=0.006, 95% CI 2.39 to 161.49). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in Thai tinnitus patients was lower than in previous reports from other countries. Younger people were more likely to have anxiety and depression. Prompt evaluation and treatment of these conditions should be carried out.