Regression analysis of interpersonal disturbance, thyroid hormone and social support in patients with Graves’ disease

Objective To explore the relationship of interpersonal disturbances, thyroid hormone and social support in patients with Graves’ disease. Methods A total of 200 out-patients with Graves’ disease and 194 healthy people were enrolled and evaluated with the general survey scale, Interpersonal Relationships Integrated Diagnosis Questionnaire (IRIDQ) and Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS). All patients received serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine(FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH). All data were analyzed by pearson correlation, hierarchical multiple linear regression and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results Both of detection rate(52.5%) and scores(10.42±6.07) of interpersonal disturbance in GD patients were higher than those of healthy people(5.60±4.75, P<0.001), and scores (35.64±6.06) of social support were lower than those of healthy people(40.00±6.32, P<0.01). In pearson correlation analysis, score of interpersonal disturbance was negatively correlated with average monthly household income, total scores of social support, subjective support scores and the utilization of support(P<0.05). Score of disturbance in getting along with people was positively correlated with FT3(P<0.01). There was no relationship among interpersonal disturbance and FT4, TSH. Regression analysis indicated that three indicators including demographic characteristics, thyroid hormone and social support had important influence on interpersonal disturbance(P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of interpersonal disturbance in GD patients is higher than healthy people. FT3 is closely related to disturbance in getting along with people. There were close corelation between social support factors and interpersonal disturbance. Key words: Graves disease; Interpersonal disturbance; Social support; Free triiodothyronine; Free thyroxine