Evaluation of Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Auditory Divided Attention

  • Fatemeh Khorasani
  • Nematollah Rouhbakhsh
  • Ahmad Geshani
  • Mohammad Reza Mohajeri Tehrani
  • Mostafa Qorbani
Keywords: Cognition, Attention, Adults, Hypothyroidism, Dichotic Listening tests

Abstract

Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that can adversely affect cognitive performance. In this regard, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism may develop poor attention. However, the effects of this endocrine disorder on auditory attention is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on auditory divided attention.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, case control study was  performed  on 30 adult patients, aged 20-40 years, who met the study inclusion criteria. Based on their Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level, the subjects were divided into two case groups  (each  with 15 patients) with a TSH level of 5˂TSH≤10 and 10˂TSH≤15. A healthy control group was recruited with matched age, sex, and education with the case groups. The participants were evaluated by the Persian version of the Bergen dichotic listening test. Among different experimental situations that included non-forced attention, forced right, and forced left, we chose the non-forced attention. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS V. 25.

Results: There was a significant difference between the subclinical hypothyroid (5˂TSH≤10 group) and controls in the scores of the right and left ear. However, there was no significant difference between scores of right and left ear in subclinical hypothyroid (10˂TSH≤15 group). No significant difference in scores of the right and left ear was found between men and women in three groups.

Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism had no effect on auditory divided attention.

Published
2019-12-28
Section
Articles