Stress is not associated with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in euthyroid women

Objective. Multiple genes and environmental factors play a role in the etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). In Graves' hyperthyroidism, stress is such an environmental factor, but whether it plays a role in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is unknown. We used validated questionnaires to evaluate an association between TPO antibodies, an early marker for AITD, and self-reported stress. Subjects and methods. Recently Experienced Stressful Life Events, Daily Hassles, and mood (tendency to report positive and negative affects) were assessed in 759 euthyroid subjects. Results. TPO antibodies were found in 183/759 (24%) of subjects. The TPO-Ab positive subjects were older (39.7 +/- 12 vs. 34.2 +/- 12 years; p <.001) than the TPO-Ab negative subjects, but the number of daily hassles (24 +/- 14 vs. 25 14; p =.24), the number of stressful life events (10 +/- 6 vs. 11 +/- 6; p =.09), and the scores on the affect scales (22.1 +/- 7.4 vs. 22.2 +/- 7.3; p =.89 for negative affect and 38.2 +/- 5.1 vs. 38.3 +/- 5.3; p =.91 for positive affect) were similar in TPO-Ab positive and TPO- Ab negative subjects. Conclusions. We found no association between recently experienced stressful life events, daily hassles or mood and the presence of TPO antibodies in these euthyroid women. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.