A cross-sectional study on the lifestyle of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune cause of hypothyroidism, often accompanied by persistent non-specific symptoms despite normalized thyroid hormone levels. Lifestyle factors, including mood, sleep, diet, and exercise may influence disease progression and quality of life, but comprehensive characterization of HT patients’ lifestyle remains limited. Objective: To systematically assess the lifestyle patterns of HT patients, including psychological well-being, sleep quality, quality of life, dietary habits, and physical activity. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted with 226 participants (105 HT patients and 121 healthy controls). Emotional status was assessed using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9; sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); and health-related quality of life with the SF-36. Dietary habits and physical activity were evaluated using two study-specific questionnaires. Serum TPOAb and TgAb levels were measured, and correlations with exercise parameters were analyzed using Spearman correlation and multivariate regression. Results: HT patients exhibited significantly higher anxiety and depression scores, poorer sleep quality, and lower quality of life compared to controls. They also demonstrated distinct dietary patterns, including higher daily intake of meat, dairy, vegetables, and fruits, as well as limiting iodized salt intake. In terms of physical activity, HT patients exhibited more conservative exercise patterns, engaging predominantly in low-intensity activities and less in moderate-to-high intensity exercises. Notably, more engagement in higher intensity exercise was inversely correlated with TPOAb levels, independent of age, sex, and BMI, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory benefit of adequate-intensity activity in HT. Conclusion: HT patients present with impaired psychological health, altered sleep, distinct dietary adjustments, and conservative exercise patterns. Higher intensity exercise may contribute to lower thyroid autoantibody levels, highlighting the potential role of tailored lifestyle interventions in HT management.