Influence of depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and pure-tone thresholds on the tinnitus handicap inventory in Japan

Objective: To assess factors that contribute to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores in Japan. Design: Case series with chart review. Study sample: Two hundred and eighty-five tinnitus patients at tertiary referral center, who completed the Japanese version of the THI, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: In multiple regression analysis, the SDS score contributed the most to the THI score. The state section of the STAI score and pure tone average (PTA) at four high frequencies also contributed significantly, but to lesser degrees. The other following factors were not statistically significant: age, gender, time from the onset of tinnitus to the first clinical visit, PTA at three mid frequencies, and trait section of the STAI score. This model may account for approximately 45% of THI score variability. Conclusions: The THI scores may be influenced by depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and pure tone thresholds in Japan.