Tinnitus and its association with psychiatric disorders: systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: To systematically review the literature on the occurrence of psychiatric diagnoses in a tinnitus-affected population, and correlate the presence of psychiatric disorders with tinnitus-related annoyance and severity.

Method: A systematic review of the literature published between January 2000 and December 2012 was performed using PubMed, ISI Web of Science and SciELO databases. Original articles in English and Portuguese that focused on the diagnosis of mental disorders associated with tinnitus, especially anxiety and depression, were identified.

Results: A total of 153 articles were found and 16 were selected. Fifteen articles showed a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in tinnitus-affected patients, and nine showed a high correlation between the presence of a psychiatric disorder and tinnitus-related annoyance and severity.

Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression, is high in tinnitus patients, and the presence of these disorders correlates with tinnitus-related annoyance and severity.