The relationship between treatment adherence and depressive mood in patients diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism

Introduction and Aim: Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disease characterized by low or insufficient parathyroid hormone levels leading to hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Unipolar depressive disorder is an important public health problem associated with loss of work force and mortality. In our study, the effect of adherence to treatment on depressive mood in patients with hypoparathyroidism was investigated. Material and Methods: Our study was planned as cross-sectional and was conducted with patients who applied to the outpatient clinics and clinical services of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital between 15.11.2021 and 15.05.2022. After obtaining the patient's consent by the relevant doctors, serum parameters and urine tests used in the routine follow-up of hypoparathyroidism patients were requested. Eight questions in to evaluate patients' adherence to treatment and 21 questions from Beck Depression Scale to evaluate mood were asked to patients and all data were recorded. Results: In our study, with treatment compliance, serum Ca+2, ALP and 24-hour urine calcium levels were positive; It was determined that there was a statistically significant negative correlation with serum phosphorus and Beck Depression Scale scores. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the scores obtained from the Beck Depression Scale and the serum vitamin B12 level. A statistically significant correlation was found between the emergency service admission status of the patients and the scores obtained from the Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale in the negative direction, and with the Beck Depression Scale scores in the positive direction. The difference between the scores the patients got from Beck Depression Scale and the scores they got from Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale was statistically significant (p<0.001). When the Beck Depression Scale scores of the patients who were divided into 3 groups according to Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale were compared, at least one group was statistically different from the others. In the double group comparisons, each group was statistically different from the others (p<0.001). Conclusion: Treatment of hypoparathyroidism should be managed by evaluating patient compliance. It should be kept in mind that parathyroid diseases are a possible cause of depressive disorders. Necessary interventions should be made without delay in the treatment process and in referral to the relevant clinical units.