Fasting Blood Glucose and Depressive Mood among Patients with Mental Illness in a Medicaid Managed Care Program

Abstract EN

Objective.

This study explores the relationship between depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9 depression screen and blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes enrolled in Gold Choice, a Medicaid managed care program for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse.

Methods.

The PHQ-9 was mailed to 454 Gold Choice members and a questionnaire was mailed to their physicians requesting current HbA1c% and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels.

The pearson product-moment correlation was used to describe the association between PHQ-9 scores and FBG levels.

Results.

The PHQ-9 response rate was 55% (N=249).

Laboratory results were received for 141 patients.

The correlation between FBG and PHQ-9 scores was modest but statistically significant: r=0.21 , P=0.015.

Conclusion.

A statistically significant association was found between FBG and PHQ-9 depression scores.

This finding supports current recommendations that physicians be alert to depressive symptoms among patients with diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism.