With diabetes, psychiatric disorder, suicide risks higher in transition to adulthood

Takeaway

• The risk of developing psychiatric disorders is increased between ages 15 and 25 years in individuals with vs without diabetes mellitus (DM).
• Findings highlight the importance of identifying psychiatric disorders and increasing access to mental health services for this vulnerable age group.

Why this matters

• Topic has not previously been examined in individuals transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
• Psychiatric disorders are associated with serious adverse diabetes-related outcomes.

Study design

• Retrospective cohort study in Quebec, Canada, using linked health administrative databases of adolescents (age 15 years) with (n=3544) and without (n=1,388,397) diabetes and without prior psychiatric disorders between 1997 and 2015, followed to age 25 years.
• Funding:McGill University Health Center, Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec.

Key results

• Individuals with diabetes had a greater likelihood (adjusted HRs; 95% CIs) of:
  • A mood disorder diagnosed in an emergency department or hospital: 1.33 (1.19-1.50);
  • Hospital admission for a suicide attempt: 3.24 (1.79-5.88);
  • Psychiatrist visit: 1.82 (1.67-1.98); or
  • Any psychiatric disorder: 1.29 (1.21-1.37).
• The risks for mood disorders diagnosed in the outpatient clinic or for a schizophrenia diagnosis did not vary based on diabetes status.

Limitations

• Retrospective.
• All-Canadian population.
• Diabetes type not distinguished.