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Depressive disorders and significant levels of depressive symptoms are common in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to results published in Diabetes Medicine.
The researchers suggest that clinicians should take a more comprehensive approach to diabetes management that includes mental health interventions to improve clinical outcomes.
The study included people with type 2 diabetes aged 18 to 65 years who were treated in outpatient settings across 14 different countries (n=2783). Participants underwent a psychiatric interview and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale.
Of the 2783 participants, 10.6% were diagnosed with current major depressive disorder, and 17.0% reported moderate to severe levels of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire scores >9).
The researchers found that current major depressive disorder was significantly associated with sex (women; P <.0001), a lower level of education (P <.05), doing less exercise (P <.01), higher levels of diabetes distress (P <.0001), and a previous diagnosis of major depressive disorder (P <.0001).
Despite the prevalence of depressive disorders and symptoms in the participants, the proportion of those who had a diagnosis or treatment for their depression was low and nonexistent, depending on the country (0%-29.6%).
“Our findings indicate that the identification and appropriate care for psychological and psychiatric problems is not the norm and suggest a lack of the comprehensive approach to diabetes management that is needed to improve clinical outcomes,” the authors concluded.
Please refer to original text for list of full disclosures.
Reference
Lloyd CE, Nouwen A, Sartorious N, et al. Prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in people with type 2 diabetes: results from the International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression (INTERPRET-DD) study, a collaborative study carried out in 14 countries [published online February 25, 2018]. Diabetic Med. doi:10.1111/dme.13611
