The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism

Year 2025, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 47 - 60, 12.03.2025

Zeynep Ece Demirbaş

Abstract

Aims: Hypoparathyroidism (HPT) is a chronic disease characterized by low calcium levels and significant psychological and physical complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and treatment adherence in patients with HPT.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included patients with chronic HPT from the endocrinology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Adults receiving oral calcium and active vitamin D therapy, who volunteered to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and who did not have any mental disability or concomitant chronic serious disease were included. Biochemical and complication data were collected, and treatment adherence was assessed on the basis of self-reported medication use.

Results: Of the 33 patients (mean age 53.7 ± 12.7 years; 78.8% female), 54.5% were non-adherent to treatment. Depressive symptoms ranged from minimal to severe, with 24.3% experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. A significant association was found between HPT etiology and depressive symptom severity (p = 0.011), with moderate symptoms more common in post-operative patients (34.8% vs. 0% in non-surgical cases). A weak negative correlation was observed between depressive symptom scores and highest calcium levels (r = -0.359, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of treatment goals by demonstrating the negative correlation between Ca levels and BDI scores. The high prevalence of depressive symptoms and non-adherence in patients with HPT underlines the need for tailored mental health and adherence interventions.

Keywords

Hypoparathyroidism, depression, hypocalcemia.

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