Takeaway
- Among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a strong association was seen between depression and sub-optimal self-care.
- Diabetes distress was found to be associated with higher HbA1c level and sub-optimal self-care.
Why this matters
- Depression has been reported to affect up to 40% of patients with diabetes.
- Findings emphasise the importance of screening and addressing emotional and psychological health in people with T2DM.
Study design
- This study assessed 2552 patients with T2DM (no depression and little to moderate diabetes distress, n=1663; no depression and high diabetes distress, n=56; depression and little to moderate diabetes distress, n=578).
- Patients were assessed using a 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale.
- Funding: None.
Key results
- Mean age of the participants was 63±13 years, with mean diabetes duration of 12±10 years.
- After adjustments, difficulty following dietary recommendations, current smoking, forgetting medications and diabetes distress were associated with increased risk for depression and higher own health rating was associated with reduced risk (all P<.002).
- In multivariate analysis, female sex, higher HbA1c, insulin use, difficulty following dietary recommendations and depression were associated with greater odds of diabetes distress (P<.04).
- Odds of diabetes distress was significantly high among female patients vs male patients (OR, 1.59; P=.012).
Limitations
- Risk for bias.
References
References
