Psychiatric disorders in tinnitus patients without severe hearing impairment: 24 month follow-up of patients at an audiological clinic.

The relationship between tinnitus and psychiatric disorders has long been recognised. We have addressed this question by investigating the prevalence of psychiatric diagnosis in a consecutive series of tinnitus patients (n=82) without severe socially disabling hearing loss referred to an audiological clinic. The psychiatric evaluation was based on a standardised diagnostic interview (SCID-P) in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-III-R) and on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD Scale). An experienced psychiatrist performed the interview 24 months after the patient's first visit to the clinic. Lifetime depressive and anxiety disorders were recorded in 62 per cent and 45 per cent of the cases respectively, but only 34 per cent had had contact with any healthcare institution for emotional disturbances. Only 7 per cent reported that they had tinnitus prior to their depressive and/or anxiety disorders. We conclude that it is of great importance to identify these emotional disturbances in patients suffering from tinnitus.