Factors Influencing Treatment Satisfaction, Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction in Adults with Hypothyroidism: The Role of Shared Decision Making and Psychological Flexibility

Hypothyroidism is a common disease involving diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms impacting many aspects of functioning. The indicated treatment produces significant improvements but leaves many with residual symptoms that significantly impair functioning. Numerous patient surveys reveal high levels of dissatisfaction with the treatment and healthcare professionals. Less well understood are treatment and person factors that might influence the relationship between symptoms, hypothyroid-specific impairments and life satisfaction. This study focuses on the role of sufferer’s appraisals of their treatment and psychological flexibility. Data were collected using standardized measures administered via an online, cross-sectional survey completed by 1,787 members of the Swedish Thyroid Foundation suffering from symptoms of hypothyroidism. 80 % of the participants were medicated with recommended treatment, T4 (levothyroxine). Participants reported high levels of symptoms that impacted their health related quality of life. In line with recent research, treatment satisfaction in this group was very low. Participants’ rating of degree of involvement in treatment decisions was significantly related to treatment satisfaction. Scores on self-report measures of psychological flexibility explained a significant, though small, amount of the variance in hypothyroid-specific QoL and satisfaction with life. Further research involving these variables and with adults recruited directly from healthcare services is warranted.