Prevalence and determinants of depression among diabetic patients, Babel province, Iraq, 2013-2014

Abstract EN

Background : Diabetes Mellitus is a complex chronic disease, requiring continuous medical care with multi factorial risk reduction strategies beyond glycemic control.

Approximately 30 % of patients with types 1 and type 2 diabetes had depression.

In addition to the high risk of complications and poor glycemic control, individuals with both diabetes and depression have a 2-3 times greater risk of early mortality than do nondepressed people with diabetes.

Early detection of this comorbidity is worthy, especially with simple and relatively valid scales.

Objectives : To identify the prevalence and potential risk factors of depression among diabetic patients in Babel province, 2013-2014.

Patient and Method : A cross-sectional study conducted in Marjan Hospital, diabetes Center, Babel, October, 1st, 2013 to April, 1st, 2014.

The study included all patients with Type1 & 2 diabetes excluding pregnant women and those with advanced complications.

Data on socio-demographic variables, diabetes characteristics and presence of comorbid diseases and complications was compiled.

Self Reporting Questioner (SRQ-20) to identify mental illnesses ; DSM-IV criteria for depression and Hamilton-17 Scale, for assessment of severity of depression were used.

Results : A total of 466 patients were approached ; 91.2 % responded.

About 90 % were of type 2 DM ; 37 % had depression ; 78 % had mild and only 4 % had severe and very severe depression.

Presence of depression was significantly associated with age (P = 0.000), marital status (0.036), type of treatment (P = 0.001), presence of Ischemic Heart Diseases (P = 0.000) ; retinopathy (0.012), and neuropathy (0.000).

Conclusions : More than one third of diabetic patients had depression.

Age, type of treatment, and presence of other comorbid conditions or complications were significant risk factors.